ATP Miami 3rd Round: Crunch time for Americans, Querrey plays Raonic, Isner against Cilic

Milos Raonic

1. Milos Raonic v Sam Querrey

The top-ranked American, Sam Querrey faces a tough task to replicate a 4th round performance from last week in Indian Wells as he squares up against fellow bullet server, Milos Raonic.  Querrey took three sets to get past Lukas Kubot, meanwhile Raonic won all of his first serve points in a straight sets win over Guillaume Rufin.  I remember bigging up Raonic for Wimbledon last year, but he fell in a tight four setter to Querrey.  Raonic did turn the tables on Querrey with a straight sets win in San Jose this year, but I think this will be a see-saw match-up over time with not much to call between the pair.  On this occasion, I like Raonic's chances...

Prediction - Raonic to beat Querrey in 2 tight sets

2. John Isner v Marin Cilic

John Isner

Yesterday was a lucky escape for John Isner as he came within two points of losing to Ivan Dodig, but a dodgy call from the umpire worked in Isner's favour and he survived a complete momentum swinger of a match, 4-6 7-5 7-6(5).  Isner now takes on Marin Cilic who defeated Santiago Giraldo and will be the favourite going into this match.  Isner's win over Dodig could have been the match that changes all of the former American number one's fortunes, but it didn't have that feel to it and I think Cilic will take this one rather comfortably.

Prediction - Cilic to beat Isner in 2 tight sets

3. Andy Murray v Grigor Dimitrov

Andy Murray dismissed a worse-for-wear Bernard Tomic, 6-3 6-1 and now faces another promising prospect in Grigor Dimitrov.  The Bulgarian benefitted from a withdrawal at 6-4 1-1 from Simone Bolelli.  Dimitrov has certainly been more consistent on the tour this year and showed peaks of potential, particularly in the first week in Brisbane where he made the final and in fact, lost to Murray in the final.  I think Murray will have a strong week in Miami and I do not see Dimitrov having much hope in this one.

Prediction - Murray to beat Dimitrov in 2 sets

Best of the rest: mens 3rd round predictions

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Tsonga to beat Nieminen in 2 sets

Seppi to beat Bellucci in 3 sets