Briton next faces huge test against Milos Raonic for spot in fourth round; world no 1 Novak Djokovic also advances
Saturday 23 March 2019 13:56, UK
British No 1 Kyle Edmund dispatched Ilya Ivashka to ease into the third round of the Miami Open for the very first time in his career on Friday.
Edmund, who received a bye to the second round, cruised past Belarus' Ivashka to win 6-3 6-2 in 71 minutes on Court One at the Hard Rock Stadium complex.
Edmund failed to reach the round of 32 on his five previous attempts at the Masters 1000 event, but he ended that hoodoo with a clinical performance against world No 110 Ivashka under sunny skies.
The 24-year-old will next meet big-hitter Milos Raonic after the Canadian was handed a walkover when his opponent Max Marterer of Germany retired injured before the clash.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic came through in straight sets, needing just over an hour to brush aside Australia's Bernard Tomic 7-6 (7/2) 6-2 and advance to the third round of a tournament he has won six times.
There were a couple of high profile exits, starting with Indian Wells champion Dominic Thiem's bid for a 'Sunshine Slam' meeting with a quick end as he fell 6-4 6-4 to Hubert Hurkacz.
And Thiem was joined by world no 6 Kei Nishikori in crashing out early losing 2-6 6-2 6-3 to Dusan Lajovic who faces Nick Kyrgios after the Australian defeated qualifier Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan 7-5 6-3.
Defending men's champion John Isner hit 20 aces, lost only 11 points on his serve and beat qualifier Lorenzo Sonego 7-6 (7/2) 7-6 (9/7) while Gael Monfils, who has been hampered by an Achilles injury, withdrew before his opening match.
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