ATP Masters Miami: Rublev, Tsitsipas, Kyrgios torment the double aces
Are the double specialists in danger? At least in Indian Wells and Miami, those players who otherwise almost only indulge in singles cause a sensation in pair skating.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Mar 25, 2022, 12:09 pm
John Isner may have to be excluded from this calculation. While Isner has maintained his position as America's longtime number one in singles, his ability to serve has always been profitable in doubles as well. What was last proven in Indian Wells, where Isner won the title alongside Jack Sock, as in 2018. So it's no surprise that Isner, who is actually a singles player, was successful with Hubert Hurkacz , who is also a singles player, in round one in Miami against Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies, two proven doubles specialists.
However, the hegemony of full-time pair skaters faltered even more on Thursday. Because Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov prevailed against Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah with 7: 5, 5: 7 and 10: 6. Now Rublev in particular is a man who hardly misses an opportunity to play a tennis match, whether alone or with a partner. A win against "the Colombians" still means a lot in the scene.
Also Kyrgios and Kokkinakis further
The next opponents of the two Russians will be two players who see themselves more as single artists. But they had an interesting experience at the beginning of the year: winning the title at the Australian Open. Yes, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios also got off to a flying start in Miami. As expected against two doubles experts, namely Santiago Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.
On the other hand, the success of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Feliciano Lopez against Alexander Bublik and Andrey Golubev seems almost trivial. After all, Bublik also has ambitions in the individual. But beware: The two Kazakhs also know how to convince in doubles and were even able to reach the final in Roland Garros in 2021. But against Lopez and Tsitsipas they had no real chance of winning.
Here the double tableau in Miami
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