• Sony Ericsson Open

Murray catches Fish meeting

ESPN staff
March 25, 2010
Andy Murray will have to reel in Mardy Fish's serve © Getty Images
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Andy Murray will meet Mardy Fish in the second round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami after the American battled past Leonardo Mayer 7-6 6-4.

Defending champion Murray, who gets a bye through to the second round, has spoken of this tournament being like a home event for him given the time he spends in Miami, but it won't be a home crowd for the Briton when Florida-based Fish steps out in front of the patriotic American support.

Fish needed all the help he could get to fight off Mayer in the night match as his first serve percentage dropped below 50%. Mayer couldn't take his break point opportunities in the first set and Fish claimed the tie-breaker 7-4, before the 101-ranked American grabbed two breaks to one in the second set.

Meanwhile, lucky loser Nicolas Lapentti made the most of his fortuitous entry into the main draw by beating Potito Starace 7-5 6-3. He will be the first opponent of world No.1 and two-time winner Roger Federer.

South Americans Horacio Zebalos, Juan Ignacio Chela, Alejandro Falla and Santiago Giraldo were among the other winners as four of the qualifiers continued their momentum with victories. Falla's defeat of Victor Hanescu was one of the upsets of the day.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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