Britain’s Andy Murray had more at stake today than the Miami title. Hoisting the Sony Open trophy would signify the number two world ranking. The reigning U.S. Open defeated Spaniard David Ferrer 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 to obtain his second Sony Open prize.

Ferrer, who was making his maiden appearance in the final in Miami, his fifth at the ATP Masters 1000 level, knew from the outset it would be an uphill battle. Ferrer’s first ATP Masters 1000 title came in November after being denied three times prior.

Although Murray had a slight 6-5 lead in their head to head, the Spaniard has just one win on hardcourt. The others have been on clay. In 2011, these two collided at the Masters tournament in Shanghai, Murray triumphed in two sets.

Moreover, history was not on Ferrer’s side. Three compatriots, including Rafael Nadal three times, have gone down in the final at the Miami Masters. Also, Ferrer has an abysmal mark against top five players, 0-12.

Nevertheless, this was far from the Spaniard’s mind as he salvaged two break points in his opening service game, then went on a five game run to lead 5-0 in the first set.

Murray finally got on the scoreboard and also broke Ferrer. However, the Spaniard broke Murray a third time in the initial set to close it out.

The second seed had multiple break chances to take the ascendancy in the opening set, but the miscues outnumbered the winners. Murray’s hold on a ninth Masters 1000 trophy looked in jeopardy.

As Ferrer double faulted in the third game of the second set, Murray had double break point. The Brit converted when Ferrer’s forehand up the line landed wide.

Murray went on to consolidate for 3-1. In the seventh game, with gritty defense, Ferrer salvaged two break points and guarded serve for 3-4. With a myriad of mistakes, Murray permitted Ferrer to manufacture break point. With Murray’s attempted dropshot going array, Ferrer knotted the set.

But, with backhand upon backhand errors, Ferrer donated a game to Murray for 5-4. Murray wrapped up the next game to send the match into a final set.

A slew of breaks ensued in the third set, with neither player holding the first six games. Finally, Ferrer held for 4-3. At that point, the Spaniard was suffering physically, requiring medical attention to his left thigh.

Despite feeling the effects of the heat, Murray pushed forth. After maintaining serve, Murray forced an error from Ferrer with a deep return to get break point. With Ferrer dumping a forehand into the net, Murray had the crucial break for 5-4.

Subsequent to a second rub down of the thigh, Ferrer got another jolt of adrenaline. With Murray serving for the championship, Ferrer struck an overhead winner for double break point. He converted as Murray dumped a forehand into the bottom of the net.

Following a relatively comfortable hold for 6-5, Ferrer had championship point when Murray’s backhand volley sailed wide. However, on the next stroke, Ferrer stopped play believing the ball was long. Unfortunately for the Spaniard, the challenge revealed Murray’s ball grazed the line. Ultimately, Murray won the game and the tiebreaker was instituted only for the third time in a Miami final.

Murray jumped to a 4-0 advantage as a physically spent Ferrer hobbled and misfired from both wings. Murray easily claimed the tiebreaker, his second Sony Open trophy, the world number two ranking and his ninth Masters 1000 title.

The toll of the match on both players is apparent from the count of 14 winners, 50 unforced errors for Ferrer and 23 winners, 45 unforced errors for Murray. Ferrer grabbed 8 of 14 break points while Murray 7 of 15.

A definite heartbreaker for Ferrer “one point” was his reaction. Still, Ferrer does not regret challenging “it was a very close match. I had my chance on match point. I saw it out. The final set I was more tired than him and he deserved to win”.

Although Ferrer is one of the fittest players on tour, the weather and the previous two matches which went the distance may have caught up with him “it was very hot. It was very tough. With Andy it was a very physical match. . .today was hotter than the other days”.

Four all in the second set was a pivotal juncture, Ferrer agreed “it was a very important game. I played a very bad game. . . [but] in the third set I was a break down three times. I had 6-5 and match point. I had my chance. I did not take advantage. . . With these players, if I don’t take advantage, it’s impossible to win”.

Despite the result, Ferrer feels honored to have been in the Miami final “with tomorrow, I’m going to be positive. I did final. . . the support of the people, to see a lot of Spanish fans, I only have words of thanks”.

Ferrer once again will climb back to number four in the rankings, displacing his countryman Nadal.

Murray explained his frustration with the initial set saying “it was very warm today, the previous matches in the evenings were very, very different. . .four of the first five games I had game points in and found myself 5Love down. That was tough. . .he started the match pretty well. . .better than me. . the conditions a little bit. There’s always going to be some nerves in the final, as well”.

Murray gained the victory, salvaging match point in an ATP tour final for the first time “I think it was an exciting match. I don’t think either of us played our best tennis. . . a lot of upsanddowns, a lot of mistakes from both of us. But I did fight hard, showed good mental strength to get through that match, because it easily could have slipped away from me”.

Murray only had praise for Ferrer “we both get on very. I train with him a lot, practice with him all the time. I don’t think he gets the respect that he deserves within the game. He’s been in the top 5 in the world now for at least three years. . .He’s improved his game every single year. That takes a great attitude to be able to do that”.

On Monday, Murray supplants Roger Federer at number two, what does that mean to him? “I don’t have to go into MonteCarlo or Madrid or Rome and [worry or think] about that. . .for me it doesn’t change a huge amount, but the fact that I’m moving up the rankings is a good sign. I have been winning a lot of matches. My consistency has been better over the last few months. The rankings obviously reflect that. So I will try and keep working hard during the clay and hopefully I can go higher”.

With that being said, Murray hopes to shoot to the top of the rankings soon. This tournament may have just ushered in the epoch of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray while closing the curtain on the Roger-Rafa era.

Serena Williams repelled Maria Sharapova 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 to win her sixth trophy at the Sony Open surpassing Steffi Graff with whom she was previously tied.

Williams had already made Sony Open history in the semifinals with the most victories on the women side, 60. Now, she wanted to stand in a league of her own by also capturing the trophy.

But, it was Sharapova in search of her first Sony Open crown, after failing four previous times, who handled the breezy conditions and the bright sun well early on. Subsequent to wasting three break point chances in a marathon eleven minute game, Sharapova fabricated a fourth in the fifth service game.

On that occasion when Williams’ backhand found the net, Sharapova converted the break for 3-2. However, the world number one applied the necessary pressure to bank the next game and square the set at 3 all.

Williams was not at her best on serve, frequently catching her toss and shading her eyes. In the ninth game, Williams double faulted to gift Sharapova a break point. When on the following point Williams dumped a forehand crosscourt into the net, Sharapova was in front 5-4.

With a love game replete with miscues by Williams, Sharapova sealed the first set. At that point, a visibly annoyed Williams slammed her racket against her chair, her wakeup call.

With an ace, Williams capped a love hold to start the second set. Then, by pushing Sharapova around, she got the break for 2-0.

Yet, a bevy of mistakes by Williams led to an ephemeral lead as Sharapova fabricated triple break point. As Williams fumbled another forehand, the players were back on serve.

Later, Sharapova set up triple break point once more with a backhand winner. By winning the fifth game, at 3-2, Sharapova was three holds from grabbing the elusive title and completing the rare feat of hoisting both the Indian Wells and Miami trophies. It has only been accomplished three times, last by Kim Clijsters in 2005.

Again though, Williams found the emergency brake. With two consecutive winners and a stellar return, Williams was at triple break point. As Sharapova’s stroke kissed the net’s bottom, the second set was leveled at 3 all.

Later courtesy of a double fault, Williams had a break point. She took a 5-3 lead when Sharapova committed another forehand error. Williams closed out the second set with an ace.

The decisive set became a nightmare for Sharapova. In the opening game, the world number two could not stave off double break point. Subsequent to Williams consolidating for 2-0, Sharapova threw in two successive double faults to provide her rival with an insurance break.

Williams pushed the cruise control button, capitalizing on a seventh break point to make it 100% conversion for the match and 5-0. Williams went on a ten game in a row tear to close out the championship.

Sharapova has gone down to Williams now in eleven successive encounters. She last triumphed in 2004. Today, in their maiden meeting in the final in Miami, Sharapova felt she wasted too many chances particularly in the second set “ I still had opportunities to get back at 3-4. I was up 40-15 and Love-30 in the next game. . . those are the games that you really need to keep challenging out there and keep being in them. . .those are the chances that you will have to take . . .if you want to win the match”.

Despite her heavy schedule up to this point, Sharapova cited fatigue was not a factor “ I feel fine. I’m very happy, very fortunate that I’ve been able to play. . . I have had a really great month and I think I can only take positives out of it, really”.

Clay is the next stop for the women’s tour. As the defending French Open champion, Sharapova is looking forward to Paris “when you experience such a nice moment in your career, to be able to come back there and to play on that court again where you lifted the trophy, it’s always special and meaningful. Especially for the amount of years that you’ve worked so hard to get to that point. I’ll treat it as any other title that maybe I haven’t won and really want to win because I would love to win it again”.

For the match, Williams’ first serve percentage was 51. She fired 35 winners and 32 unforced errors and was behind 4-6, 2-3. Sharapova connected on 64% of her first serves, struck 13 winners and 23 unforced errors.

The statistics explain Williams’ surprise in pulling off the victory “I honestly can’t say right now [how I turned it around]. I just feel everything was going so fast. . . I was just making so many errors. I just was like, Serena, are you really going to get to the final and not play up to your potential? I don’t think I had enough energy. I think I may have done too much work yesterday, may have hit too long, done too much gym”.

Williams’ strategy to get back into the match “at one point, I was just like, conserve your energy and try and relax and play better”. The serve was not a weapon today. Williams was hitting the first ball at times at 79 mph “I honestly have not served great this whole tournament, if you look at the stats. It hasn’t been my best week serving wise. Usually in the later rounds, I’m able to pick it up and do a little better. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do that today, so I had to rely on other parts of my game”.

Williams has eyed that sixth trophy since 2009 when she lost to Victoria Azarenka in the final. This week, she even biked to the tournament to assure she would make her third round match.

Now, Williams will shift her focus to the clay in search of a companion for her lonely 2008 French Open trophy, the only major she possesses just one of. Clay is perhaps Williams’ most challenging surface. But, she does not view it as such “I think it’s only as hard as you say it is. I happen to love Roland Garros and I’m happy to play there. Hopefully I can just take it one match at a time. That’s in the future. I’m just going to do it one step at a time”.

Today’s performance by Williams qualifies as “winning ugly”. If on her worst day, Williams can walk away with the Sony Open, her 16th major, a second French Open may not be far behind.

On Sunday, in the Sony Open final, Andy Murray will take on David Ferrer. Murray beat Richard Gasquet 6-7, 6-1, 6-2 to advance to his third final in Miami.

Gasquet befuddled the 2009 champion early on, getting the break with a beautiful back down the line winner. The Frenchman went on to consolidate and move ahead 3-0.

Subsequent to holding serve for the first time, Murray became extremely aggressive which allowed him to erase the break deficit.

Later on, with a forehand winner, Murray manufactured triple break point. When Gasquet’s backhand slice found the tramlines, Murray grabbed his second break of the first set.

However, serving for the set at 5-4, Murray double faulted on break point to open the door for his opponent. Gasquet became more offensive which helped him as the set had to be settled in a tiebreaker.

With Murray netting a backhand, Gasquet had a mini-break advantage which turned out to be the difference in the set.

Quickly, Murray shook off the disappointment of the prior set and with a forehand down the line winner had double point. With a fortuitous pass landing for a winner, the Scot converted for 3-1. Murray streaked five games in a row to capture the second set.

Subsequent to getting the break in the initial game of the third set, Murray double faulted to gift Gasquet the next game. Yet, subsequent to having double game point, Gasquet double faulted and was at deuce.

With a return winner, Murray obtained break point and capitalized with a forehand volley winner. Henceforth, Murray took command of the final set breaking a second time for 5-2, then easily bedding the match.

Following the match, Gasquet explained that he was compromised by an ankle injury which was present since Indian Wells “I had an ankle problem already. . .I tried my best. . . When you have to play a guy like Andy, it’s tough. I don’t think I lost because of that. I lost because he’s very good”.

Despite the defeat, Gasquet walks away with fond memories “it was a very nice week for me, semis in Miami. I thought I could win today. I’m really happy with the way I played this week. I’m trying to improve my game, I work a lot. The confidence is [growing] with every week. I am very motivated for the rest of the season”.

Murray stated in reference to blowing the first set “a tough one to lose because I served for [it] and hit over twenty winners. I realized I had to cut out the unforced errors, did a good job of that. Halfway through the second set, I started to find the way to play and the right shots to go for”.

Murray was well aware of his opponent’s health issue “obviously he struggled in the third set with his movement. But, I just had to take care of my side of the net”.

At this event, the players in their thirties have been quite successful including Ferrer who is in the final. Murray was asked whether he pictures himself playing in his third decade “who knows? . . .if the body permits, I would hope so. . .you touch wood you don’t have any surgeries, but that can happen. [It] depends how you recover from them as you get older.”

On Sunday, Murray knows he will have to be ready to go toe to toe with Ferrer. He explained “David, after this week, will be in the top four again. He deserves to be because of his consistency. He’ll be very tough on Sunday”.

Moreover, according to Murray “Ferrer has a great attitude on the court. He fights for every single point. You’re going to have to do more running than against some players”.

These two have collided eleven times with Murray ahead 6-5. The problem for Ferrer is that only one of his wins has been on hardcourt. All the others have been on the red dirt. Thus, Murray goes in as the favorite on Sunday.

The first men’s semifinal at the Sony Open showcased a pair of thirtysomething. World number five David Ferrer outlasted a resurgent Tommy Haas 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 to reach his fifth Masters 1000 series final.

At 35, Haas, a former world number two, discovered his fountain of youth. Ranked 18th, the German ousted 24 year old Alexandr Dolgopolov in the third round then stunned world number one Novak Djokovic in the round of 16. This year’s semifinal showing was the furthest Haas’ had advance in Miami.

For his part, Ferrer fought off Jurgen Melzer in three arduous sets for his third semifinal berth at the Sony Open, last being in 2006.

In the fifth game of the initial set, Haas captured the break at love for a 3-2 lead. Later, Haas banked a marathon game for 5-2 and stretched his advantage by a double break. Although Ferrer wrestled one of the breaks back, Haas still closed out the opening set.

In the seventh game of the second set, Haas double faulted to hand Ferrer a break point. The Spaniard capitalized to move ahead 4-3. Subsequent to consolidating, Ferrer broke Haas for the second straight time to push the match to a decisive set.

The start of the third set was a rollercoaster as the competitors traded breaks. Haas finally held serve to seize a 3-1 lead. However, Ferrer would not be discouraged. He went on to knot the set at 3 all.

Down the road, courtesy of a double fault by Haas, Ferrer grabbed a 5-3 advantage, The Spaniard had no trouble serving out the set to clinch his spot in the Sony Open final.

Although Haas was obviously disappointed, he can appreciate what he has achieved this week “ beating Novak Djokovic, coming back, beating [Gilles] Simon, getting to the semis. It’s been an unbelievable tournament, something that, I will definitely cherish for the rest of my life”

This week has been a case of multiple guys in their thirties going deep into the tournament, Haas explains “It comes down to, the older you get you would assume you get wiser. Now with nutrition, the right training, the physios, it just helps you, mentally, knowing that you’re putting in the work”.

Haas feels “when you’re 21, 22, 23, you’re still trying to get into your own body. You might do a lot of lifting, you might do a lot of cardiovascular workout and you try to figure out what helps you the best. But, with experience, that’s why you see so many 30yearsold now in the top 100 like never before, just because you’re eager”.

Ferrer was broken his first two service games of the last set and down 1-3. Regardless of the score, the Spaniard maintained belief “I tried to fight every point. I know Tommy was a little bit more tired than me. But when I started the third set, I served very bad. . . I tried to forget and to play”.

Ferrer pocketed his maiden Masters 1000 trophy last season in Paris. Ferrer is keenly aware of the significance of making it through to this final saying “I am very happy for that. I will try to do my best to win Sunday. It’s going to be very difficult. . . I need to play my best tennis against Richard Gasquet or Andy Murray. Both players are very good players”.

Ferrer and Murray are evenly match with the latter having a slim 6-5 edge in their matchups. On the other hand, Ferrer has dominated Gasquet with an 8-1 record versus the Frenchman. Murray and Gasquet battle in the night session to see who will meet Ferrer on Sunday.

An unstoppable Serena Williams dismantled defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0, 6-3 to secure her eighth appearance in the final at the Sony Open and with her 60th victory moved past Steffi Graff as the winningest female in Miami.

The world number one came out with her guns blazing. The crowd had barely taken its seat when Williams posted a double break edge on the scoreboard.

When Radwanska’s service return sailed wide, Williams went ahead 5-0. The spectators at that point started the wave in the hopes of snapping Radwanska out of her slumber.

Instead, it was Williams painting the line with a backhand volley winner to manufacture set point. Soon, the American fired her 19th winner to put a period on a masterful opening set.

Williams was undoubtedly “in the zone”. At some juncture, she would be expected to come down to earth. By sending a forehand long, the world number one faced her initial break point of the night. Yet, by forcing a mistake from the opposition, Williams stayed on serve for 2-1.

After Radwanska kept in touch with Williams for five games, her serve, a huge liability, betrayed her. As a consequence of a forehand service winner, Williams arrived at break point. She converted by nailing a forehand winner for 4-2.

Later, Williams consolidated for 5-2. Despite committing her only double fault as she served for a spot in the final, on Williams’ initial match point she struck gold when Radwanska dumped a backhand into the net.

After having her back against the wall in the fourth round down 2-6,1-4 against Dominika Cilbukova and a tough match in the quarterfinals versus Na Li, for Williams tonight was a welcomed change.

Serena stated “it definitely felt really good today. I kept my unforced errors rather low. . .I didn’t start out the best. . .a lot of things in my head were going crazy, but, just steady. Slow and steady hopefully wins the race”.

In addition, Williams expressed “when you work so hard , you expect to get results. That’s how it always is for me”. Results will mean the trophy and a record breaking sixth Miami title on Saturday. Currently, Williams is leveled with Graff in that department.
In order to accomplish that feat, Williams needs to go through world number two Maria Sharapova.

Despite dominating their rivalry with an 11-2 mark and Sharapova’s ultimate victory in 2004, Williams isn’t prematurely etching her name on the trophy “every match is a new match. I love playing her. I love seeing her on the opposite side because she just brings out a good game. I just like the challenge of playing someone who has made history and who is doing so well. I just want to play well against a great player”.

With Sharapova clipping at Williams’ heels for the number one spot does that make her any hungrier for the title? Williams answered “it’s always motivating. For me, I just try to focus on one day at a time and one title at a time and just doing well”.

Both ladies are passionate about their craft and hate runner up status. Serena stated “ I don’t know anyone in life who hates losing more than I do”. On Saturday, someone will be disappointed. One will make history with a sixth title while the other will hoist the Miami trophy for the first time after being unsuccessful on four previous occasions.

Richard Gasquet grabbed his maiden semifinal berth at the Sony Open. The Frenchman stopped 2010 finalist Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-3 to win a date with Andy Murray tomorrow.

Although Gasquet had a 4-3 lead in their head to head, only a few days ago in the round of 16 at Indian Wells, Berdych sent him packing in two sets. Consequently, Berdych would have come in quite confident.

Berdych’s first opportunity to put his stamp on the match came in the sixth game with two break point chances. However, Gasquet found the escape button on both occasions.

Following a double fault by the Czech, Gasquet struck a sensational forehand volley for double break point. When a forehand stroke by Berdych landed wide, Gasquet bagged the break for 4-3.

Later on after consolidating, Gasquet manufactured triple break point with a forehand crosscourt winner. As Berdych flubbed another forehand, his fifteenth mistake, the Frenchman claimed the opening set.

Still dazed by Gasquet’s superb performance, another miscue by Berdych resulted in break point for his rival. With a forehand crosscourt winner, Gasquet banked the break and held on to the next game for a 3-0 advantage.

The rest of the evening, Berdych failed to fabricate another break point. Gasquet went on to sustain the single break difference to carry the second set.

Although Berdych acknowledged that the conditions suited Gasquet’s game well and that he played a wonderful match. He also expressed “it’s not apologizing for myself, but, just too much tennis for me in the last seven weeks and my tank is empty completely. I was just trying to do my best, try to fight for it, but, Richard was stronger. He was playing very good, solid and so definitely he deserves to win”.

Gasquet is the first Frenchman since his coach Sebastien Grosjean, a finalist in 1999, to reach this stage in Miami. Gasquet is back in the top ten with two titles already this season. The Frenchman attributes his recent success to the fact that “my coach is telling me good things everyday”.

The Frenchman employs two coaches “I think it’s good for me to change sometimes. Sebastien has a lot of experience. He played on the tour. He was one of the best players in the world. [Ricardo] Piatti is the same. He was coach of [Ivan] Ljubicic. So both have a lot of experience. Both are clever and I really like to practice with them”. Moreover, tactically, Gasquet stated both are on the same page “they have similar point of view on my game. I need to go more to the net, to play close to the baseline”.

Concerning tonight’s match, Gasquet felt the key was that “I was solid mentally. I was playing very good.”

Looking ahead to his semifinal opponent Andy Murray, Gasquet cited “he has all the shots of tennis: serving well, returning incredible, running well. He’s one of the best attackers in the world. I think we played a lot of times already in the past, for sure he will be the favorite. I have nothing to lose and I will try to play a good match”.

Gasquet made clear that the last statement does not imply he does not expect to win “I can play better, I’m more confident in my strokes. I can try a lot of things because I have nothing to lose, I can be very dangerous. I know I can win against Andy. . . I know his game. We did great matches in the past. I will do my best to win him”.

The Frenchman is acutely aware that he has carried three of the seven meetings versus Murray. They have had some great battles in the past. Thus, the semifinals appear promising.

Andy Murray maintained his winning ways at the Sony Open. The reigning U.S. Open champion prevailed over the ninth seed Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-3.

Despite obtaining the initial break for a 2-1 lead, Cilic failed to sustain the momentum. A few more exchanges of breaks followed. After order was restored and the players arrived at 4 all, Cilic gifted his counterpart the break in a game where he committed two double faults.

Serving for the first set, Murray found himself down 0-30. Still, the Scot went on to capture the subsequent four points to shut the door on his opponent.

The second set opened with Murray getting a break of serve. Later on, Murray extended his advantage by a double break for 5-2.

With Murray serving for the semifinals, he faltered permitting Cilic to narrow the gap at 5-3. At this point, perhaps, the Croat was inspired to mount a comeback. Yet, it must be hard for Cilic to muster belief against a rival whom he has only beaten once in eight encounters.

Moreover, for Cilic the memories of last year’s U.S. Open quarterfinals where he blew the chance to build a two sets to none lead against the man across the net must be impossible to banish. Although Cilic denied Murray six match points, the world number three made good on the seventh try to book his place into the semifinals.

Maria Sharapova is into her fifth Sony Open final after taking out Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-1 in the first women’s semifinal in Miami.

Sharapova is attempting to win her first ever title in Miami as well as completing the Indian Wells/Miami double. The last player to achieve that feat was Kim Clijsters in 2005.

“Yeah, I mean, it would be nice, but, you know, winning a title on its own, whether it’s here or Indian Wells, is a great achievement on its own”, said Sharapova. “To be able to come back from that and, you know, recover in just a few days and come back to the final here, I mean, it’s great.”

Asked about her chances in Saturday’s final Sharapova responded, “Well, it’s another final. It’s great to be putting myself in a position of this tournament to get into finals. I don’t know who has been in five finals of this event in the women’s draw, so it’s certainly, you know, a big consistent at this tournament but yet I haven’t won it, so it would mean a lot for me to be the champion here.”

A finalist in Miami in 2008, Jankovic had a quick turn over today after her match versus Vinci last night lasted over two hours.

“I served poorly today. I had a really low percentage of first serves. Overall, I wasn’t moving. I felt heavy on the court.”, said Jankovic. “I felt really tired and exhausted. So I didn’t really have enough time to recover. I finished the match last night at 11:00. I went to sleep at 1:00 by the time I came back to the hotel. Woke up early, had to play. So the schedule was tough. So today I wasn’t on the top of my game, and I wasn’t playing the way I wanted to, you know, especially on a big occasion like playing the semifinals.”

Sharapova will face either 2012 Sony Open champion Agnieszka Radwanska or Serena Williams in Saturday’s final. Radwanska faces Williams in the second semifinal match tonight in Miami.

On a bizarre night that saw temperatures plummet in Miami, Tommy Haas pulled off the upset of the tournament by defeating two-time defending Sony Open champion Novak Djokovic in straight
sets 6-2, 6-4.

“Playing against something like Novak and coming out on top at this time of my career, it’s unbelievable.”, said Haas “You know, it goes up as one of my, you know, most best wins of my career.”

Djokovic was attempting to tie the record for consecutive wins in Miami, but a slew of unforced errors from the Serbian throughout the match proved to be his downfall. Djokovic credited Haas as the better player tonight and assessed his performance in his post match interview. “Yeah, I mean, all the credit to him. He played a great match and he was the better player, no question about it.” said Djokovic. “The results show everything, you know. As far as I’m concerned, it’s definitely the worst match I have played in a long time.”

When asked to access the unseasonal conditions in Miami Djokovic responded, “I mean, conditions were really much, much different from what I have played, you know, in previous matches. Balls didn’t bounce at all.
You know, he has a quite flat shots. He used the variety really well. Yeah, it was very cold, and I just didn’t find a better solution to come back to the match.”

Earlier in the day another Serbian was upset in Miami. The number 7 seed Janko Tipsarevic was bounced from the tournament by the number 11 seed Gilles Simon in three sets 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. Haas will face Simon in Wednesday’s night session for a place in the Sony Open semi-finals.

Miami, FL Ricky Dimon
Absences and withdrawals have marked the 2013 Sony Open Tennis event, but Andy Murray–to name just one–is restoring order to the proceedings. Murray earned his second consecutive straight-set win by dismissing Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(3), 6-3 during third-round action on Monday afternoon.

Dimitrov, who lost to Murray in the Brisbane final earlier this season, got off to a fast start. The 21-year-old Bulgarian twice led by a break in the first set but ultimately he could not serve it out at 5-4. Dimitrov also squandered a mini-break advantage in the ensuing tiebreaker and from there he lost the second set in less dramatic fashion.

“He probably got a little bit nervous,” Murray said of Dimitrov, “and that helped me. Once I started to improve my depth a bit I made it tough for him and he started to make more mistakes after that.”

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga followed suit on the show court and hammered Jarkko Nieminen 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and five minutes. Tsonga fought off the only two break points he faced to book a fourth-round showdown against Marin Cilic.

Compared with Cilic (a straight-set victor over John Isner) and Tsonga, Tomas Berdych took a more roundabout way to the last eight. Berdych saved a match point at 3-5 in the second set with a second-serve aces and he survived another in the ensuing tiebreaker. One break in the final frame of play allowed the fourth-seeded Czech to complete his comeback win.

Ricky Dimon is a contributor in Miami and writes for TennisTalk.com. You can follow him on Twitter under @RD_Tennistalk by clicking here.