Borna Coric, Andreas Seppi advance in Miami Open
Borna Coric claimed a much-needed win at the Miami Open as Andreas Seppi also came through the opening round.
Coric, continuing his return from knee surgery, has struggled this year but overcame Marcel Granollers at the ATP 1000 event on Thursday.
Seppi was far more comfortable in a straight-sets win, while teenager Frances Tiafoe also progressed.
Rain led to an early end to play, but not before Bernard Tomic withdrew from the event.
JOB DONE FOR CORIC
The Croatian needed almost three hours to get past Granollers 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 6-3.
Coric squandered chances to wrap it up in straight sets before breaking twice in the third.
It’s #NextGenATP’s @borna_coric who moves past the first round! pic.twitter.com/PbEymShPPS
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 23, 2017
The win was just his fifth of the year and saw him set up a clash against sixth seed Dominic Thiem.
SEPPI EASES THROUGH
Seppi was too good for qualifier Radu Albot in a 6-4 6-4 victory.
The Italian lost just two points on serve in the first set and managed to break three times in the second.
Awaiting him in the second round is 24th seed Gilles Muller.
TIDY TIAFOE
Tiafoe, a 19-year-old qualifier, recorded a 7-5 5-7 6-1 victory against Konstantin Kravchuk.
The teenager dominated the deciding set, losing just two points on serve to ease through and set up a clash against Swiss great Roger Federer.
What a fight for @FTiafoe! pic.twitter.com/2YnqoX4Uud
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 23, 2017
TOMIC’S STRUGGLES CONTINUE
Tomic is enduring a miserable year and it appears set to continue after he withdrew due to a back injury.
Bernard Tomic has withdrawn from his match today with a back injury. He is replaced in the draw by lucky loser Mikhail Youzhny. Feel better! pic.twitter.com/WdRkJqSkXA
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 23, 2017
His place in the main draw was taken by lucky loser Mikhail Youzhny, who was crushed 6-4 6-1 by Mikhail Kukushkin.
Also progressing to the second round were the likes of Diego Schwartzman, Robin Haase, Tommy Robredo and Adrian Mannarino.
