Federer moves into Miami Open fourth round

Roger Federer knew he had things going his way at the Miami Open when he hit three shots off his frame during a wild, 17-stroke exchange and still won the point because Filip Krajinovic dumped a half-volley into the net.

Krajinovic quickly grabbed the ball and flipped it over the net as if continuing the rally, which drew cheers from the crowd and a smile from Federer.

“We’re not robots,” Federer said. “I like when players show emotion like Filip did in that instant. It was a weird, strange, ridiculous point that I got very lucky to win somehow.”

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A little lucky and really good, Federer won 7-5 6-3 on Monday to reach the fourth round. He improved to 14-2 this year, signaling he’s a threat to win his fourth Miami title.

It was an improvement on his showing in the second round, where he was stretched to three sets by Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.

Federer will next play No.13 seed Daniil Medvedev, who won a battle of dominating serves against 6-foot-11 qualifier Reilly Opelka.

Medvedev won 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 7-6(0), in a match where there were no service breaks but plenty of aces – 19 by Medvedev and 22 by Opelka – to take his win-loss record to 17-5 in 2019.

“I’m looking forward to the game. I’m very impressed about his progress,” Federer observed of the young Russian.

“I must say the last year has been unbelievable for him. Very impressive.”

[13] @DaniilMedwed advances to 4R @MiamiOpen for 1st time with 76(5) 67(5) 76(0) win over [Q] Opelka. #Medvedev improves to 17-5 on the season and last year didn't win his 17th match until @Wimbledon in July.

— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) March 25, 2019

Earlier on Monday, Australian Jordan Thompson continued his surprising progress at the tournament, advancing to the last 16 of a Masters-level event for the first time with a straight-sets upset of former world No.3 Grigor Dimitrov.

It followed on from his 6-2 6-3 dismissal of 10th seed Karen Khachanov.

“It’s huge. Last year I spent a lot of time on the ATP Challenger Tour. I didn’t hear the end of that I only won one match (at tour level) last year so it’s nice to be in a fourth round of a Masters,” Thompson told atptour.com.

Thompson next faces Kevin Anderson, after the sixth seed beat Joao Sousa 6-4 7-6(6).

Also progressing to the last 16 were Stefanos Tsitsipas and Denis Shapovalov – who will meet in a battle of the flashy shot-makers – and David Goffin and Frances Tiafoe.

Tiafoe, the 28th seed, ended the valiant run of Spanish veteran David Ferrer, who is playing his final season on tour.

For one last time in Miami… ????

Thanks for the memories, @DavidFerrer87 #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/cQPiH5Rv98

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 26, 2019