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  • Nishikiori, Levine, Del Potro, and several other intense matches to kick off TMS Miami

    3/26/08 2:28 PM | Jonathan Morgan
    - After a few days break from the finale of the Indian Wells event, the ATP is back with a bang in Miami with all the top players. The top 32 seeds have a bye and wont play until the weekend, but just because the guys today aren't ranked as high doesn't mean it won't be a fine day of tennis.

    Juan Martin Del Potro vs. Jesse Levine

    Young and tall Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro (JMDP to his fans) will make his return to the circuit after having missed all events since the Australian Open. He is defending big points, having made the 4th round here last year before being trashed by Nadal. Jesse Levine is the much shorter lefty just one year JMDP's senior. He hasn't had too much success this year on the main tour after having destroyed the challengers last year. Expect Del Potro to be a bit rusty after such a long lay off and expect Levine to come in with something to prove. He had a tough match with Wawrinka in the first round of Indian Wells, nearly beating him but losing 4-6 in the 3rd. This one can go either way, but Del Potro should begin his comeback on a nice note with a win here.

    Kei Nishikori vs. Albert Montanes

    Delray titlist Nishikori comes in here after having contested the Sunrise Challenger last week, beating Massu in the first round and losing a tough one to Grosjean in the 2nd round, a player he very much resembles in terms of playing style. Montanes hasn't beaten a player on hard courts ranked in the top 250 since New Haven last August. He is simply deplorable on hard courts and Nishikori should have quite the advantage. Look for Kei to move the Spaniard around and win this one comfortably.

    Pablo Cuevas vs. Vince Spadea

    Cuevas, a fine player on the challenger tour last year burst onto the ATP scene in Vina Del Mar, reaching the semis before falling to Gonzalez in a tighly contested bout. Since then, however, he has failed to impress. He fought through the qualifying rounds here and has a shot against Spadea, but is more of a clay courter. Although Spadea the American veteran has failed to impress THAT much in recent weeks, he should win this one. Old Vinnay “Ice Baby” Spadea will spit his game on the court and take this match victory.

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