The ATP’s Miami Open Masters tournament heads into the quarterfinals and that’s where we’ll pick up our tennis picks. We’re fresh off a very productive day in terms of tennis betting as we went 3-0 on Tuesday. Our first win came with Fabio Fognini, who had no issues with American Donald Young. Young failed to win a single game in the first set and ended up losing 6-0, 6-4. We also had a straight-sets winner with Rafael Nadal, who disposed of Nicolas Mahut without too many problems. He took the first set 6-4 but needed a tiebreak in the second set to ouster Mahut. Lastly, we had Kei Nishikori, who dropped the second set to Federico Delbonis, but managed to win the first and third sets.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, the stakes are getting higher and players are trying to pounce on the absence of Novak Dokovic and Andy Murray. That tandem typically occupies the final eight at this and most other Masters 1000 tournaments. With that in mind, here is a look at our tennis picks for Wednesday.
Kei Nishikori vs. Fabio Fognini
Kei Nishikori has made it clear that this season his goal is to win an ATP 1000 title. Nishikori made the finals in Miami last year but fell short against Novak Djokovic’s sustained brilliance. This time he doesn’t have to worry about the man who has given him hard times. However, Nishikori had some tough times in getting past Federico Delbonis, who looked hell bent on beating him.
The Japanese star won 82 percent of the points on his first serve but could only manage 49 percent behind the second delivery. It was even worse in the second set, where he won only 36 percent of points on second serve. The second serve has always been there to feast on and Delbonis exploited that weakness to clinch the second set. The joy didn’t last long for Delbonis, however, as Nishikori resumed normal business in the deciding set to close out the match in two hours and 14 minutes.
Next for Nishikori is enigmatic Fabio Fognini, who has surprised many with his run to the quarterfinals. People don’t know which Fognini will show up. Tuesday, he was clinical in his approach against Donald Young, whom he thrashed in just 65 minutes. He could come out completely flat against Nishikori and nobody would complain. However, his body language suggests he means business.
In Indian wells, the Italian started playing fabulous tennis and shocked everyone with a victory over Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, who has reestablished himself in the world’s top 10. Nishikori is also a well-established top-10 player, but he is aware of the threat Fognini possesses. Nishikori’s last two matches have lasted a total of five hours, which is far from ideal going into the quarterfinals. Fognini isn’t expected to win, but he wasn’t expected to reach this far either. Now that he has come this far, he won’t let this opportunity go without giving his all. Take Fognini with your tennis picks.
Pick: Fognini in three sets
Rafael Nadal vs. Jack Sock
Rafael Nadal is yet to win a title this year, but the way he is playing, it won’t be too long before he has his hands on a trophy. Nadal advanced to the quarterfinals with a victory over Nicolas Mahut. Nadal had previously lost to the Frenchman in one of their two meetings, but it had little impact on how the Spaniard perceived this latest match. The four-time Miami finalist won 92 percent of his points on his first serve and astonishingly didn’t face a single break point.
Next for Nadal is Jack Sock, who dismantled Jared Donaldson in an all-American affair. Sock has played against the decorated Spaniard on two occasions but is yet to register a ‘W’ against him. There are lot of expectations for the highest ranked American, who won in Delray Beach earlier in the year and also made the semifinals of the first Masters tournament in Indian Wells, California. Sock can trouble Nadal with his massive serve and offensive forehand, but it’ll come down to how well he responds with his backhand– Nadal’s target zone. It’s unlikely he’ll be good enough to overcome Rafa. Take Nadal with your tennis picks.
Pick: Nadal in straight sets
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