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Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Kel Nishikori advance in Miami

By The Sports Xchange
Rafael Nadal of Spain.. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
1 of 2 | Rafael Nadal of Spain.. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori advanced to the quarterfinals of the Miami Open by recording victories on Tuesday, but top-seeded Stan Wawrinka was eliminated by 19-year-old German Alexander Zverev.

On his 32nd birthday, Wawrinka lost to Zverev 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

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After losing the first set, the 16th-seeded Zverev jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second set on his way to evening the match.

Zverev continued his run in the third set, breaking Wawrinka's serve twice to take a 4-0 lead. Zverev completed his victory by breaking Wawrinka's serve a third time in the set, winning the match on his second match-point opportunity.

Wawrinka was presented with a surprise birthday cake after the match.

"A disappointing match," Wawrinka said. "We were both fighting."

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The fourth-seeded Federer improved his 2017 match record to 16-1 by beating Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain, 7-6 (5) 7-6 (4).

"A tough match overall," Federer said.

Bautista Agut had a chance to serve for the first set at 5-4, but Federer recorded his first service break, winning the 10th game at love. Federer sprinted out to a 6-3 lead in the tiebreaker before finishing it off.

Federer took a 3-0 lead in the second-set tiebreaker, eventually winning it on his third match-point chance.

Federer next faces Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, who beat Adrian Mannarino of France, 6-3 7-5.

The fifth-seeded Nadal defeated Nicolas Mahut of France, 6-4, 7-6 (4).

"It's a good start of the year, I think, for both of us," Nadal said, referring to Federer. "Obviously, it's a little bit better for him, but at the same time I'm happy with the way that I am playing, happy with the way that I started the year after a tough second part of the year last year with injuries.

"So, I think it's a positive for both of us that we can still (be) around here and be very competitive almost every week that we are playing."

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Second-seeded Nishikori of Japan reached the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 4-6 6-3 victory over Argentina's Federico Delbonis.

Nishikori had his serve broken early in the final set, but he won five of the last six games to win in 2 hours, 14 minutes.

"I tried to stay calm and focus again," said Nishikori, regarding the loss of the second set. "I knew I had a lot of chances after losing the set. Even though I was down a break, 2-1 (in the third set), I was focusing well. I knew if I fight through I will have some chance, so I just tried to concentrate one game at a time."

Nishikori will face Fabio Fognini of Italy in the quarterfinals. Fognini had an easy time against American Donald Young, winning 6-0, 6-4.

Also, 13th-seeded Jack Sock beat fellow American Jared Donaldson, 6-2, 6-1 in 63 minutes.

"The more matches you win, the better you feel, the more confident you are," Sock said. "Physically, mentally, never felt better or stronger, so just excited for the rest of the year."

No. 12 seed Nick Kyrgios of Australia beat No. 8 seed David Goffin of Germany 7-6 (5), 6-3.

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