• Sony Ericsson Open

Nadal masters Nishikori in Miami

Rafael Nadal lines up a backhand © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Roddick returns to Queen's Club
  
• Profile: Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal overcame a stubborn Kei Nishikori challenge at the Sony Ericsson Open despite looking somewhat below par.

The Spaniard looked sluggish at times and had the trainer on court during the first set to treat an apparent leg injury, but he was able to up his level in the second set and progress 6-4 6-4.

Nadal spoke ahead of the match about the power Nishikori possesses and the Japanese gave an early taster when putting the world No. 2 on the back foot with some blistering play off both wings. Nadal saved a couple of break points in a mammoth opening game, but two games later he was broken as Nishikori's barrage from the back of the court continued.

Nadal began to find his range and a blistering forehand down the line secured the break back. It was still Nishikori dictating play from the baseline but Nadal's scrambling kept him in the points and eked out errors from his opponent.

Two love service holds built confidence in Nadal, but he went to his chair at the end of the ninth game and summoned the trainer. The area above his left knee was poked and probed, before strapping was put just below the knee to add stability.

He was muttering as he went to the baseline and called for water to clear his hands. But for all the unrest, he retained his focus and secured the set when Nishikori threw in one of the wildest forehands he has played in some time.

Nishikori mixes winners and errors and there were more of the latter on show in the second set. Nadal broke early and served for the match at 5-3, but he surprisingly gave his opponent a look at a break point and the Japanese took it courtesy of a fortunate flick off the net.

But having got back on serve, Nishikori made the cardinal sin of failing to back up the break. He had a chance, as a beautiful lob set up game point but a weak serve proved fodder for Nadal. And his first serve deserted him, allowing Nadal a way into the points.

A punishing rally went Nadal's way when a Nishikori forehand went wide to set up match point and he claimed victory courtesy of an error.

No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic was made to work hard to see off Richard Gasquet.

The Frenchman is capable of brilliance and he secured an early break of the Djokovic serve. Gasquet often struggles to impose himself on matches and as Djokovic found his rage, Gasquet was forced further behind the baseline.

It cost him in the end as Djokovic claimed three breaks of serve in a 7-5 6-3 success.

Up next for Djokovic is David Ferrer who was in impressive form in dismissing Juan Martin Del Potro 6-3 6-3.

Ferrer had the better of Del Potro in a five-set epic in the Davis Cup last year and that dominance continued

Janko Tipsarevic eased through, beating Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(3) 6-2, while Mardy Fish claimed a battling 6-3 6-7(2) 6-3 win over Nicolas Almagro.

Fish's reward for beating Almagro is a meeting with Juan Monaco who stopped the good run of Andy Roddick. It was always likely to be tough for Roddick to back up his win over Roger Federer and he seemed to run out of gas as he was beaten 7-5 6-0.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.