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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Novak Djokovic banked his 30th ATP title in Miami. The world number one downed Andy Murray 6-1, 7-6 to capture his third trophy at the Sony Ericsson Open. Djokovic became the first player to successfully defend at this event since Roger Federer in 2005-2006.

This was a repeat of the 2009 Miami final. On that occasion, Murray hoisted the big prize. The Brit was appearing in his third final of 2012, victorious in Brisbane and beaten by Federer in Dubai.

At this juncture in 2011, Djokovic was 24-0 with the Australian Open and BNP Paribas Open under his belt. Since winning at the Australian Open, Djokovic has had two defeats, each in the semifinal stage, one of them to Murray.

Out of nowhere in the opening set, after leading 40-0, Murray made two consecutive backhand errors and allowed Djokovic to later get to deuce. Down the road, three successive backhand miscues by Murray resulted in Djokovic converting.
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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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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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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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In a day session which progressed into the evening, Rafael Nadal prevailed over Radek Stepanek 6-2, 6-2 and improved his mark to 6-0 versus the Czech.

Despite the score, Stepanek was not a comfortable put away for Nadal using everything in his bag of tricks to disrupt the Spaniard. At one all in the first set, Stepanek forced Nadal to overcome break point in order to hold.

After failing to build on a 15-30 advantage on his rival’s serve, Stepanek was broken when Nadal connected on a forehand crosscourt pass for a winner. Next, Nadal consolidated for 5-2. Then, Nadal broke Stepanek a second time to bed the opening set.

Following a hold where he wiped out break point, Nadal converted to secure the break. In spite of Stepanek fighting, Nadal went on to stretch his lead to 3-0.
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Tomas Berdych and Grigor Dimitrov open up play on Stadium Court on Sunday at the 2012 Sony Ericsson Open. Following that matchup, Venus Williams hopes to build off her upset of Petra Kvitova and move on to the fourth round when she takes on Aleksandra Wozniak.

Other notable day session matches include Rafael Nadal versus Radek Stepanek on Stadium Court and Andy Murray versus Milos Raonic on the Grandstand.

In the night session, defending Sony Ericsson Open champion Victoria Azarenka is looking to extend her 25 match winning streak in 2012 when she faces off with Heather Watson. John Isner versus Florian Mayer will close out the evening session.

Here is today’s complete order of play :

Sunday, March 25, 2012

STADIUM Start 11:00 am

[7] Tomas Berdych (CZE) v Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) ATP

Not Before 1:00 PM
[WC] Venus Williams (USA) v [WC] Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) WTA

Not Before 3:00 PM
[20] Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) v [15] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) WTA
[25] Radek Stepanek (CZE) v [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) ATP

Starting at 7:30 PM
[1] Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v [WC] Heather Watson (GBR) WTA

Not Before 9:30 PM
[19] Florian Mayer (GER) v [10] John Isner (USA) ATP

GRANDSTAND Start 11:00 am

[18] Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) v [9] Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) ATP
[13] Gilles Simon (FRA) v [22] Jurgen Melzer (AUT) ATP
[26] Milos Raonic (CAN) v [4] Andy Murray (GBR) ATP
Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) v [5] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) WTA

Not Before 5:00 PM
[1] Bob Bryan (USA)/Mike Bryan (USA) v
Marcelo Melo (BRA)/Juan Monaco (ARG) ATP

COURT 1 Start 11:00 am

Simona Halep (ROU) v [7] Marion Bartoli (FRA) WTA
[WC] Garbine Muguruza Blanco (ESP) v [24] Flavia Pennetta (ITA) WTA
[6] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) v [32] Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) ATP
[16] Kei Nishikori (JPN) v Lukas Rosol (CZE) ATP

Not Before 6:00 PM
Oliver Marach (AUT)/Alexander Peya (AUT) v
[2] Max Mirnyi (BLR)/Daniel Nestor (CAN) ATP

COURT 2 Start 11:00 am

Jie Zheng (CHN) v [16] Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) WTA
David Marrero (ESP)/Fernando Verdasco (ESP) v
Feliciano Lopez (ESP)/Marc Lopez (ESP) ATP
Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) v [22] Maria Kirilenko (RUS) WTA
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS)/Jie Zheng (CHN) v
Eva Birnerova (CZE)/Klaudia Jans-Ignacik (POL) WTA
Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK)/Jean-Julien Rojer (NED) v
Daniele Bracciali (ITA)/Juan Sebastian Cabal (COL) ATP

COURT 3 Start 12:00 noon

[6] Sara Errani (ITA)/Roberta Vinci (ITA) v
[WC] Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER)/Petra Martic (CRO) WTA

Action at the 2012 Sony Ericsson Open gets under way today with Andy Murray taking on Alejandro Falla on Stadium Court. Murray is hoping for a repeat performance of 2009 where he was the champion in Miami. Top seed and world number one Victoria Azarenka begins her quest to defend her title in Miami when she faces off with Michaella Krajicek.

In the night session, three-time Sony Ericsson Open champion Venus Williams goes up against the reigning Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova. That match will be followed by Rafael Nadal versus Santiago Giraldo.
Nadal, a three-time runner-up in Miami is looking to secure his first Sony Ericsson Open title after losing in an epic third set tie breaker last year to Novak Djokovic.

Here is today’s complete order of play :

Friday, March 23, 2012

STADIUM Start 11:00 am

Alejandro Falla (COL) v [4] Andy Murray (GBR) ATP
Vania King (USA) v [15] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) WTA
[1] Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Michaella Krajicek (NED) WTA
Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) v [10] John Isner (USA) ATP

Not Before 7:30 PM
[3] Petra Kvitova (CZE) v [WC] Venus Williams (USA) WTA
Santiago Giraldo (COL) v [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) ATP

GRANDSTAND Start 11:00 am

[13] Gilles Simon (FRA) v [Q] Roberto Bautista-Agut (ESP) ATP
David Nalbandian (ARG) v [9] Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) ATP
[Q] Madison Keys (USA) v [5] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) WTA
[11] Francesca Schiavone (ITA) v Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) WTA

Not Before 5:00 PM

[7] Tomas Berdych (CZE) v Nicolas Mahut (FRA) ATP
Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)/Sam Querrey (USA) v
[7] Leander Paes (IND)/Radek Stepanek (CZE) ATP

COURT 1 Start 11:00 am

[9] Vera Zvonareva (RUS) v [WC] Garbine Muguruza Blanco (ESP) WTA
[6] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) v Xavier Malisse (BEL) ATP
[25] Radek Stepanek (CZE) v Tommy Haas (GER) ATP
[20] Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) v [Q] Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) WTA

Not Before 5:00 PM
Polona Hercog (SLO) v [7] Marion Bartoli (FRA) WTA

COURT 2 Start 11:00 am

Anna Tatishvili (GEO) v [16] Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) WTA
[WC] Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) v [22] Maria Kirilenko (RUS) WTA
[26] Milos Raonic (CAN) v [Q] Arnaud Clement (FRA) ATP
[16] Kei Nishikori (JPN) v Lukas Lacko (SVK) ATP
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) v [29] Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) ATP

COURT 3 Start 11:00 am

[18] Angelique Kerber (GER) v Jie Zheng (CHN) WTA
[18] Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) v [Q] Antonio Veic (CRO) ATP
[WC] Heather Watson (GBR) v [27] Lucie Safarova (CZE) WTA
[1] Liezel Huber (USA)/Lisa Raymond (USA) v
Julia Goerges (GER)/Samantha Stosur (AUS) WTA
[WC] Gisela Dulko (ARG)/Paola Suarez (ARG) v
[2] Kveta Peschke (CZE)/Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) WTA

COURT 5 Start 11:00 am

Robin Haase (NED) v [22] Jurgen Melzer (AUT) ATP
[19] Florian Mayer (GER) v Ivan Dodig (CRO) ATP
Marcelo Melo (BRA)/Juan Monaco (ARG) v
[WC] James Blake (USA)/Ryan Harrison (USA) ATP

COURT 6 Start 11:00 am

[WC] Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) v[28] Monica Niculescu (ROU) WTA
Frederico Gil (POR) v [32] Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) ATP
Colin Fleming (GBR)/Ross Hutchins (GBR) v
Mardy Fish (USA)/Mark Knowles (BAH) ATP
Yung-Jan Chan (TPE)/Marina Erakovic (NZL) v
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)/Vera Zvonareva (RUS) WTA
Olga Govortsova (BLR)/Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) v
Vera Dushevina (RUS)/Shahar Peer (ISR) WTA

COURT 7 Start 11:00 am

[31] Kaia Kanepi (EST) v Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) WTA
Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP) v [24] Flavia Pennetta (ITA) WTA
[32] Nadia Petrova (RUS) v Simona Halep (ROU) WTA
Lukas Rosol (CZE) v [24] Marcel Granollers (ESP) ATP
Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)/Klara Zakopalova (CZE) v
Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP)/Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) WTA

COURT 8 Start 11:00 am

[4] Robert Lindstedt (SWE)/Horia Tecau (ROU) v
David Marrero (ESP)/Fernando Verdasco (ESP) ATP

Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK)/Jean-Julien Rojer (NED) v
Pablo Andujar (ESP)/Carlos Berlocq (ARG) ATP

[6] Sara Errani (ITA)/Roberta Vinci (ITA) v
Raquel Kops-Jones (USA)/Abigail Spears (USA) WTA

Iveta Benesova (CZE)/Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) v
[WC] Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER)/Petra Martic (CRO) WTA

Feliciano Lopez (ESP)/Marc Lopez (ESP) v
Florian Mayer (GER)/Viktor Troicki (SRB) ATP