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TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2019

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Djokovic downs Delbonis in

Halep battles into 4th round, ’s title defense ends

MIAMI GARDENS: Simona Halep of Romania returns a shot to Polona Hercog of Slovenia during Day 7 of the Miami Open presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. — AFP

MIAMI: Novak Djokovic remains on fourth round after the Spaniard defeated in his step. I ended up in a positive way,” Djokovic Saturday, Halep can return to the position course for a record seventh Miami Open Italian Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-4. Delbonis had opportunities to steal added. Defending champion John Isner she last held at the end of 2018 if she lands title, but the world number one admitted to “To be honest, I lost my focus,” said ahead, yet calling on all his experience and blew Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas off the Miami Open for the first time. a loss of focus in a 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 victory Djokovic who smashed 36 winners com- mental resolve, the Serbian was able to court with serves touching 139 mph as the “It’s always tough against Venus,” said over spirited Federico Delbonis which pared to 24 from Delbonis. “I should have hold firm and take the opener. American sealed an ultimately comprehen- the current world number three, who has booked his place in the last 16. done better I think mentally than I have The world number one was getting sive 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) win to set up an beaten the American in their previous Djokovic is hoping to eclipse Andre done at the end of the first two sets. incredibly frustrated, he received a warn- intriguing match with Kyle Edmund in the three encounters. “I’m not going to say Agassi’s six ATP crowns in South Florida “I managed to really play well last cou- ing for racquet abuse and was furious for last 16 after the British number one that it’s going to be easier because I won over the next week and although the 31- ple games of first set, go up a break, put allowing a 3-1 lead to slip in the second, impressively saw off Canadian Milos the last matches against her. It’s a big chal- year-old endured some shaky moments at myself in front, then I played a couple of yet credit to Delbonis who stayed calm Raonic 6-4 6-4. lenge for me.” Seven-time Hard Rock Stadium, he still possessed really bad service games. Credit to and served out confidently to force a In the women’s draw, Simona Halep kept champion Williams, meanwhile, swept past enough quality during the key moments to Federico, he stepped in.” Djokovic had decider, something which looked beyond alive hopes of regaining the world number Russian 6-3, 6-1. “Simona see off the battling Delbonis. looked impressive in the second round win him midway through the opening set. one ranking Sunday, beating Polona always plays flawless tennis against me, so The Serbian, though, wasn’t happy with over Bernard Tomic and the Serbian con- He couldn’t keep the pressure on, how- Hercog 5-7, 7-6 (7/1), 6-2 to reach the last I have to be ready for that,” Williams said. letting a 5-2 advantage slip in the first set tinued his decent form by immediately ever, and when Djokovic managed to get 16 where she will play . Elsewhere in women’s action, American and became furious with himself as the imposing himself onto the Argentine. 3-1 ahead, this time there was no way back Halep, 27, lost her place at the top of Sloane Stephens’s title defense ended in a second squirmed from his grasp. Djokovic moved 5-2 ahead but after he for the 28 year-old from Azul who rightly the rankings