The “Big Four” Take Center Stage in Miami Quarters

At the Sony Open Tennis in Miami on Tuesday, the 22 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov upset world number three-ranked Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals. Dolgopolov has climbed more than 30 spots in the Emirates ATP Rankings in just one month and will next face Tomas Berdych for a spot in the Miami semifinals. Berdych overcame American John Isner 6-3, 7-5, converting two of eight break opportunities for his trip to the semis. Berdych is 3-0 against Dolgopolov lifetime.

Another Miami upset occurred when the number 20 seed Kei Nishikori booked a quarterfinals match against Roger Federer after a three-plus hour 7-6(7), 2-6, 7-6(9) win over 2013 Miami runner-up David Ferrer. Nishikori hit 32 winners and converted five of his 13 break point opportunities to beat Ferrer for the first time since the 2012 Olympics.

Federer recorded a 6-1, 6-2 win over world number nine Richard Gasquet to advance in just 49 minutes, moving to a 12-2 lifetime record against the Frenchman in 14 career meetings.

"He had obviously a very difficult match with Ferrer, but a great one which everybody watched in the locker room and the player restaurant," said Federer of Nishikori. "Kei did a good job getting it done at the end.

Federer and Nishikori have split their two previous meetings, with Federer winning in the 2011 Basel finals, and Nishikori taking the second meeting last year in Madrid.

Also on Tuesday, it was three-time Miami champion Novak Djokovic recording a 6-3, 7-5 win over the number 16 seed Tommy Robredo, setting up a quarterfinals clash with Andy Murray. Murray won his eighth consecutive win in 10 meetings with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a 6-4, 6-1 triumph in 74 minutes.

"If you're feeling a bit down, which I was a little bit when I got here, I also remember the amount of hours I put in on that tennis court out there and also in the gym," said Murray who owns an apartment in Miami. "This is where I have built most of my professional career from, so it makes a big difference coming back here. Mentally, I always feel pretty good here."

Djokovic holds a lifetime 11-8 record against Murray, with two of those wins coming in Miami. With the win, Djokovic reached his seventh consecutive quarterfinals appearance at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament. Murray is a two-time winner in Miami, hoisting the trophy in both 2009 and 2013.

The quarterfinals were rounded out as world number one Rafael Nadal joined the mix with a 6-2, 6-2 win, his 20th of 2014, over Fabio Fognini in just 62 minutes. Nadal will meet Milos Raonic in the quarters after the Canadian’s 6-3, 6-4 win over Benjamin Becker. Nadal has never won a title in Miami, and holds a 4-0 lifetime record against Raonic, having yet to drop a set to the Canadian.

“I have to try to impose on [him],” said Raonic of Nadal. “When he gets ahead in the points, he is difficult to keep up with. I have to get ahead in points early and stay ahead. And obviously serving, as well, is going to be key.”