Rafa, Nishikori display their prowess with easy victories
Miami, March 25: Rafael Nadal cruised past Dudi Sela in the second round of the Miami Open on Friday while Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic also enjoyed comfortable victories as the top seeds got underway.
But there was an upset for ninth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who was beaten by 158th ranked Argentine Guido Pella, and for France’s 11th seeded Lucas Pouille who was defeated by American Donald Young, ranked 51st in the world.
With plenty of backing from the South Florida crowd, Nadal never looked in trouble against the 83rd ranked Sela as he ran out 63, 6-4 winner in one hour and 20 minutes.
Rain delays earlier in the day pushed back Nadal’s appearance on court and gusty conditions also made it tricky for the former world number one.
Japanese second seed Nishikori beat South African Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-3 and will face Fernando Verdasco of Spain.