Seven successive defeats had been the number for Rafael Nadal at the hands of Novak Djokovic. Today, however, on clay, Nadal dominated Djokovic 6-3, 6-1 to bank his first title of the season and his eight consecutive trophy at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.

It’s been a difficult week for Djokovic who was informed of his grandfather’s death hours prior to playing his round of 16 match. Yet, Nadal must have had doubts coming into this final considering he had not beaten his rival since the Barclays ATP World tour Finals in November 2010.
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This year’s Sony Ericsson Open final is a repeat of 2009 as world number one Novak Djokovic meets Andy Murray.

Djokovic, the defending champion, is striving for his third title on Sunday in Miami on Sunday. While Murray, the 2009 victor, is hoping for a similar result as the last time they met at this venue in order to bank his second.

Murray who has had two walkovers at this event one from Milos Raonic in the third round and the other from Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. Despite looking vulnerable at moments, Djokovic has dispatched opponents such as Marcos Baghdatis, Richard Gasquet and David Ferrer in two sets.

Djokovic and Murray have spared in two semifinals already this season with Djokovic winning at the Australian Open while Murray prevailing in Dubai. Still, in their head to head, Djokovic leads Murray 7-5.

Here is Sunday’s order of play :

Sunday, April 1 , 2012

STADIUM Start 1:00 pm

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) v [4] Andy Murray (GBR) ATP
[5] Maria Kirilenko (RUS)/Nadia Petrova (RUS) v
[6] Sara Errani (ITA)/Roberta Vinci (ITA) WTA

Novak Djokovic will have the opportunity to defend his Sony Ericsson Open title on Sunday. The world number one ousted Argentine Juan Monaco 6-0, 7-6 to reach the final.

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday, Monaco was on cloud nine as he ushered in his 28th birthday by taking apart world number eight Mardy Fish for his first semifinal showing at the Sony Ericsson Open.

The Monaco of the quarterfinals was no where to be found the opening set. In twenty-seven minutes, conceding only eight points with two by way of double faults, Djokovic wrapped up the first set.
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The ladies Sony Ericsson Open final will be contested between the world number two and four. Maria Sharapova will have to fend off Agnieszka Radwanska in order to claim her first title at this tournament.

Radwanska, a maiden finalist in Miami, has been in great form the last twelve months. The Pole has already pocketed a big title in Dubai and is at a career high in the rankings.

Previously, Sharapova had reached three finals at Sony Ericsson Open in 2005, 2006 and 2011. Moreover, Sharapova is seeking her initial title of the year after being stopped by world number one Victoria Azarenka at the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
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Rafael Nadal is recognized as the ultimate gladiator. For him to wake up this morning and conclude that his body would not cooperate with his wish to combat Andy Murray in the semifinals at the Sony Ericsson Open must have been devastating.

Unfortunately, the world number two had to disappoint his legion of fans as a niggling left knee problem forced him to cease from taking court.

In facing the media, Nadal explained “since the beginning of the tournament, I have [had] problems. . . The thing is growing worse every day. After the last match, I saw that the situation was going to be complicated to play today. But, as always, I believe that things can improve”.
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Once a ladies doubles semifinals concludes, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal will grace stadium court at the Sony Ericsson Open as each seeks to become a finalist.

The world number two and four have budded heads eighteen times previously with Nadal the winner on thirteen of those occasions. Murray is the 2009 champion in Miami while Nadal has been the runner-up three times including last year.
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Initially, defending champion Novak Djokovic appeared on his way to a routine win over David Ferrer. However, against the never say die Spaniard, the proceedings got complicated in a hurry. Still, Djokovic vanquished Ferrer 6-2, 7-6 to clinch another semifinal appearance at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Despite Djokovic’s 7-5 record against his rival, the Serb is well aware that Ferrer is someone who never admits defeat until the hand shake at the net.

After securing a break in the opening set, Djokovic jumped to a 3-1 edge. On a double fault from Ferrer, a second break was gifted and swiftly Djokovic punctuated the set.
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The first match on stadium court at the Sony Ericsson Open has world number two Maria Sharapova and former world number one Caroline Wozniacki fighting for a berth in the final.

After reaching her maiden semifinal in Miami, Wozniacki will attempt to advance to her initial final of the season. Subsequent to her enormous victory in the quarterfinals over Serena Williams, the 21 year old will not be deterred by the challenge.

A runner up three times including 2011, Sharapova has been to the final on every occasion that she’s progressed past the fourth round at this event. It’s the initial encounter between these two this year. Sharapova has a slim advantage in their head to head of 3-2.
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Rafael Nadal withstood a stern challenge from Japan’s Kei Nishikori but ultimately vanquished the latter 6-4, 6-4 to secure his sixth straight quarterfinal showing at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Last year, these two had a second round encounter in Miami. Nishikori coming back from injury and ranked 62nd at that juncture gave the Spaniard quite a battle. Now at a career high of 16 and a quarterfinalist in Australia this year, the first Japanese player achieve this feat, Nishikori is beginning to realize his promise.

Nishikori drew first blood breaking Nadal and building a 2-1 advantage. Promptly though, Nadal cashed in on a break chance of his own.
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With a record of 21-2 against Andy Roddick, Roger Federer who has been in superb form this season should have taken care of his rival in the third round. Instead, Roddick upended Federer 7-6,1-6,6-4 to advance to the fourth round at the Sony Ericsson Open.

The last time Roddick was victorious over Federer was a night session also at the Miami Masters in 2008. Since then, Federer has won their six meetings including a heartbreaker in the final of Wimbledon in 2009.

In the third game of the opening set, Federer had double break point. But, Roddick did not flinch and eventually held. With no further break chances for either player, the first set went to a tiebreaker.
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