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  • TMS Miami: Youzhny vs Tipsarevic

    4/1/08 8:48 PM | David Cox
    - This match could be largely dependant on what physical state Youzhny is in today after his marathon yesterday evening with Nicholas Almagro

    The Russian 11th seed looked to be struggling with some kind of shoulder injury at times in the match and although he shrugged it off to win in a 3rd set tiebreak, it remains to be seen what it was like once the adrenaline died down.

    They played earlier this year, Tipsarevic claiming a shock win in the opening round of Rotterdam 7-6(3), 6-4. Going by yesterday’s form, in my view the Serb is the favorite to repeat that result and make his first Masters Series quarterfinal. Tipsarevic served brilliantly against Johansson (16 aces) and produced some punishing hitting off the ground, particularly on the run. Youzhny displayed flashes of his brilliant best, but so inconsistently. The match was very much in his hands against Almagro, with points mostly ending with a winner or an error from the Russian, but he was never able to string enough good sequences of points together to run away with it.

    Tipsarevic has a reputation as a giant-killer with Murray, Gonzalez, Stepanek among his best wins and at the Australian Open he almost claimed the biggest scalp of them all, leading Roger Federer by 2 sets to 1 before succumbing eventually 10-8 in the final set.

    Both players have glorious backhands, particularly down the line. At his best I’d give Youzhny the edge as he’s got the better net game and forehand. However, on current form I’d give the edge to Tipsarevic, who’s been much more consistent in his matches so far.

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