Rafa Nadal

Rehabilitated David Nalbandian has always been tough on Rafa Nadal, and the one-time world number three showed why on Sunday. After capturing a tense first set, Nadal was forced to save five of six break points to withstand Nalbandian’s 6-7 (8), 6-2, 6-2 three set challenge. The 2 hour 25 minute battle featured long baseline rallies.

Nadal showed no signs of the troubled knee injuries that have plagued him over the past 11-month winless streak. Nadal holds 15 ATP titles and at aged 23 is seeing his first championship in Miami following two final round appearances. Rafael Nadal will next face countryman, David Ferrer, who ousted Russian serving machine Ivo Karlovic, 7-6 (5), 6-3.

Meanwhile, American Andy Roddick kept the home fans happy with a decisive 6-2, 6-1 win over Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky. Roddick has faced just four break points thus far in Miami. If Nadal and Roddick can win through, they will meet in the semifinals, a much-awaited match.

Roddick will next face hard playing and upset minded German Benjamin Becker, who subdued number 18 seed Tommy Robredo, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4). Becker continues to challenge all comers and his third set performance against the experienced Robredo adds clout to his expanded resume. Roddick has never lost to Becker. The American has reached the quarters six of ten time she has played at Miami.

Number 33 seed Nicolas Almagro and 27 seed Thomaz Belluccio will face off for the right to meet the Becker-Roddick winner. Bellucio ousted Djokovic conqueror Oliver Rochus who could not find the consistency he showed against Djokovic. Almagro, filling in for injured Gael Monfils, put aside France’s Jeremy Chardy who ousted American Sam Querrey.

In a mild upset, 12th seed Jose Ferrer put down popular 6’9” John Isner. Isner had rallied against Michael Russell to gain the round but could not suppress Ferrer in the 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 battle. Isner will need to develop a better all-court strategy before he can make long runs through heavy competition.

Frenchman Jo Wilfried Tsonga continued his hot serving, dismantling Philip Kohlschreiber 6-2, 7-5. Tsonga has tightened up his game a bit and looks read to move ahead.

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