By Chris Oddo | Sunday March 25, 2018
Juan Martin del Potro continued his run of brilliance on Sunday at Miami by notching his 13th consecutive victory, 6-2, 6-2, over Kei Nishikori. The “Tower of Tandil” has run the table since he started his run to the title at Acapulco nearly a month ago.
On Sunday he raced past Nishikori, winning 10 of the final 12 games and saving the only break point he faced to clear the hurdle in 73 minutes.
"I think I'm playing good," said Del Potro after the match. "I can play even better, but I need to get confidence playing on this court, trying to keep winning matches. But it is not easy. My body is starting to feel tight because of all my success.”
Del Potro will face Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic in the round of 16.
Krajinovic defeated Benoit Paire, 6-3, 6-3. It is a relatively wide open men’s singles draw in Miami after the departure of Roger Federer on Saturday. Now it is even more wide open because No.3-seeded Grigor Dimitrov was sent packing on Sunday by Jeremy Chardy. The Frenchman claimed his third Top 5 victory with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over the Bulgarian.
Chardy will face the winner of Sunday night’s battle between Diego Schwartzman and Milos Raonic.
No.2-seeded Marin Cilic took care of business to remain the highest seed left in the draw at Miami. He eased past Vasek Pospisil, 7-5, 7-6(4).
South Korean’s Hyeon Chung also continued his torrid start to 2017 with a 6-1, 6-1 win over American qualifier Michael Mmoh. The No.19 seed will face Portugal’s Joao Sousa in the round of 16.
John Isner (d. Youzhny) was also a winner on Sunday in Miami.