Date: 3/24/2011
Result: Miami R1, Kei Nishikori def. Jeremy Chardy 7-6 6-2
Why it matters:
- Nishikori must be having a hard time focusing with the troubles going on in his home country of Japan, but he's trying to persevere anyway. And he should - he's had enough to overcome in his career already (look at the results when you google Nishikori Injury. Kei gets to face Nadal next round, and I hope he can enjoy himself enough to take a good crack at the World #1.
- Nishikori has done well to pick up Brad Gilbert as a part-time coach, as well. As annoying as Gilbert can be (read: always is) as a commentator, and probably generally, there's no doubt he's one of the best (if not THE best) coaches out there, and anyone who can't take a personality like Brad's in their camp even if it brings them some of their best results (ahem... Roddick, Murray) is blowing an amazing opportunity.
- For Chardy, it's back to the drawing board. He can randomly beat anyone, but usually is on the losing end of matches like this to more talented opponents. He needs something more in his game. If he could develop some more of that classic French "flair", (a la Sebastien Grosjean?) maybe he could go even higher than he has previously, especially on clay and grass.
Honorable Mentions:
- Miami R2, Johanna Larsson def. Li Na - 75 67 76 - How long will Li's hangover from her Australian Open success last? She's too impatient to fare too well on the clay, so she may have to wait until grass season to make another big impact on tour. Larsson, meanwhile, should probably be more successful at this point than she has been. She better be prepared to build on this.
- Miami R2, Anabel Medina Garrigues def. Shahar Peer - 62 62 - I wish I saw how Medina Garrigues broke Peer down so severely. Miami's swirly conditions seemed perfect for a tough grinder like Peer, and set up her top 10 breakthrough after Bartoli's shock run to the final of Indian Wells blocked Peer last week. Really interesting result.
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