One more match sends the two players in yet another QF clash. Who is better? Nadal beat Kiefer 2 and 4 with a rain delay. Blake spent 2hrs 15 min on what appeared to be a hot court. It was more like a freak show for the heat intolerant. I understand that the Miami sun can be opressing, but don’t tell me that was the hottest conditions they’ve played in. I checked the weather right after the match and the temp was mid 70s and humidity didn’t bring the felt temp up. Was the sun burning that badly in March? At 3 all in the third set, both players didn’t really give a damn and where sort of hitting the balls in the net to get themselves under the umbrella ASAP.
If Blake cannot handle that, he will have to book the 7pm matches from now on. Nadal looks like the favorite in a potential QF, even with unfavorable h2h.
So bottom half of the draw is at Last 16, and matches are;
Tursunov – Berdych
Canas – Andreev
Stepanek – Blake
Mathieu – Nadal
The two QFs should be Berdych-Canas and Nadal-Blake
If Nadal can pass Blake, there should be a final waiting for him.
Monday’s action is ahead. Federer will have to beat a figuratively speaking hot Soderling. Roddick needs to get past another qualifier, maybe in 2 sets this time. Johansson will be interesting to watch. And question is whether Davydenko can take advantage of being top seed in his quarter and get to the SF. Answers will come within the next 18hrs.
