ATP Miami 4th Round Predictions: Ferrer faces Nishikori, Djokovic plays Haas

1. David Ferrer v Kei Nishikori

David Ferrer

The two highest seeds in this section have comfortably made it to the 4th round and for one of David Ferrer and Kei Nishikori, a great shot at making the semi-finals awaits.  Ferrer defeated Fabio Fognini in the third round, 6-1 7-5, meanwhile Nishikori lost just one more game in a 6-2 7-5 win over Xavier Malisse. I predicted Nishikori to R4, but was concerned about an abdominal injury that saw him limp to a straight sets defeat to Carlos Berlocq in Indian Wells.  Nishikori has beaten Ferrer before at the Olympics last year, but Ferrer romped to a victory at the Australian Open where Nishikori was not 100%.  I am still not sure about Nishikori's fitness so I am going for Ferrer in this one.

Prediction - Ferrer to beat Nishikori in 2 tight sets

Novak Djokovic v Tommy Haas

The 34 year-old, Tommy Haas enjoyed a superb straight sets win over Alexandr Dolgopolov, 6-3 6-2 and his reward is a match-up with the world number one, Novak Djokovic.  The Serb was never troubled in a 6-2 6-4 win over Somdev Devvarman in round three.  It is great to see Haas competing on the tour and he is playing some great tennis at the minute as he has reached the last 16 in both Indian Wells and Miami. Haas has beaten Djokovic on two occasions, both on grass in 2009 at Halle and Wimbledon.  It would be a real headline grabber if Haas could oust Djokovic, but I cannot see it happening in Miami.

Prediction - Djokovic to beat Haas in 2 sets (1 tight, 1 easy)

Richard Gasquet v Nicolas Almagro

One of the tightest 4th rounders promises to be between France and Spain with Richard Gasquet up against Nicolas Almagro.  Gasquet had a good win over Mikhail Youzhny, 6-3 6-4, meanwhile Almagro defeated David Goffin in straight sets, who had knocked out Philipp Kohlschreiber in the second round. Gasquet has won two titles this year and racked up many wins, but he cannot seem to find his A-game when he plays the big players, which is really holding him back this year and has done throughout his whole career.  In a battle of the beautiful backhands, Gasquet should be winning these types of matches, but I can see the Spaniard edging this one...

Prediction - Almagro to beat Gasquet in 3 sets 

Best of the rest: 4th round mens predictions

Gilles Simon to beat Janko Tipsarevic in 3 sets

Jurgen Melzer to beat Albert Ramos in 3 sets
Tomas Berdych to beat Sam Querrey in 3 sets
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to beat Marin Cilic in 2 tight sets
Andy Murray to beat Andreas Seppi in 2 sets