The quarter-finals in the top half of the Miami mens draw will see Rafael Nadal take on Milos Raonic and Tomas Berdych play Alexandr Dolgopolov.  Stanislas Wawrinka was defeated by Dolgopolov in three sets as the Ukranian player continued his rather dazzling recent run of form.  In the last two months, he has made the Rio final, semi-finals of Acapulco, semi-finals of Indian Wells and now quarter-finals of Miami.  Not bad at all.  Here is day 9’s preview, which is dominated by Djokovic-Murray… Who you got?

1. Novak Djokovic v Andy Murray (ATP Miami, QF)

Andy Murray

The best of the four mens quarter-finals will see a Wimbledon rematch between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.  The last two matches between Djokovic and Murray have been pretty painful viewing, but a first match-up in 2014 promises to be interesting.  Murray needed painkillers for his back in the fourth round, but produced arguably his best performance of the year so far in defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-4 6-1.  Tsonga continues to look rather lost in 2014 and although there was plenty of positive intent, confidence was certainly lacking behind his strokes.  He was broken three times in a sorry looking second set for the Frenchman.

Djokovic has spent less than three hours on the tennis court this week in Miami after straight set wins over Jeremy Chardy and Tommy Robredo, and a walkover in the third round from Florian Mayer.  Murray beat Djokovic in their last match in that historic Wimbledon final.  The occasion was tremendous, but the tennis was pretty mind numbing.  They have though, played some brilliant matches in their career including the semi-final at the Australian Open in 2012, which was my favourite match of that year.  Murray goes in as the heavy underdog based on his form this year, but perhaps that will give him a chance to swing and go for his shots against Novak.  I am having a hard time seeing Murray prevail though…

Prediction: Djokovic d. Murray in 2 sets (1 easy, 1 tight)

2. Roger Federer v Kei Nishikori (ATP Miami, QF)

In Wednesday’s match of the day, Kei Nishikori saved four match points and held on for a huge win over David Ferrer, 7-6(7) 2-6 7-6(9).  The match lasted three hours and five minutes and although it did not sound like pretty viewing early on, the third set tiebreak had a little bit of everything.  Nishikori’s fitness has always been an issue and injuries have derailed his momentum many times over the last couple of years.  He did brilliantly though to tough out this win over Ferrer.  Nishikori takes on Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, who was in full-out GOAT mode beating Richard Gasquet, 6-1 6-2 in 49 MINUTES! Nishikori did beat Federer in Madrid last year, but Fed has shown this year that fully fit, he is on a different level.  Tuesday’s match is likely to have taken its toll on Nishikori so this could be quick.

Prediction: Federer d. Nishikori in 2 sets