Nadal Tops Nalbandian At Miami Masters; Wozniacki, Azarnka, Clijsters Advance
March 28, 2010 at 4:43 PM by AHN · Leave a Comment
Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor
Key Biscayne, FL, United States (AHN) – Former world No.1 Rafael Nadal remained on course for a possible final showdown with arch-rival Roger Federer after prevailing over wild card David Nalbandian Sunday for a fourth-round berth in the Miami Masters.
After dropping the opening set, the fourth-seeded Spaniard came back to post a 6-7 (8), 6-2, 6-2 win against Nalbandian, who is trying to grope for form following last year’s hip operation.
Nadal, together with Federer, are the only players left of the top-four seed after the ouster of No.2 Noval Djokovic and No.3 Andy Murray in the second round.
Nadal, who won his last title on clay last May in Rome, is set to meet 15th seeded compatriot David Ferrer, a 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 conqueror of Croatian Ivo Karlovic.
Also advancing in the next round is Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, who will meet Brazil’s Tomaz Bellici.
Bellici ended a run by Belgium’s Olivier Rochus, Djokivic’s conqueror in the second round.
In women’s play, No.2 seed Caroline Wozniacki and fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka advanced into the fourth stage of the Sony Ericsson Open.
Kim Clijsters, who ruled this event in 2005, also booked a fourth round berth after plastering No.17 seed Shahar Peer of Israel, 6-0, 6-1.
Other notable advancers were No.9 seed and French Open semifinalist Samantha Stosur of Australia, Russian 11th seed Vera Zvonareva and Justine Henin who continues her return.<br />
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