Federer brilliance continues in Miami

ROGER Federer’s brilliant start to 2017 continued with an impressive win over Juan Martin del Potro in Miami.

The Australian Open and Indian Wells champion, who could make an unlikely tilt at regaining the world No 1 status later in the year, beat the Argentine 6-4 6-4 to advance to the fourth round.

Federer (right) has lost just once this year after missing the last five months of last season with a knee injury and was always in control against Del Potro, whose forehand opportunities were restricted by the Swiss.

Federer is joined in the fourth round by his compatriot Stan Wawrinka after an easy outing for the top seed.

Wawrinka beat Tunisian Malek Jaziri 6-3 6-3 and will meet rising star Alexander Zverev, who won an epic encounter against John Isner.

The German triumphed 6-7 (7/5) 7-6 (9/7) 7-6 (7/5), saving three match points, in a game that went on for two hours and 40 minutes.

Nick Kyrgios also prevailed in a titanic battle with big-serving Ivo Karlovic, winning 6-4 6-7 (7/4) 7-6 (7/2).

Tomas Berdych beat Gilles Muller 6-3 6-4, Roberto Bautista Agut came from behind to see off Sam Querrey 2-6 6-2 6-3 and David Goffin also fought back from a set down to beat Diego Schwartzman 3-6 6-3 7-5.

Frenchman Adrian Mannarino beat Borna Coric 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7/3).

The top three women seeds all made it through to the quarterfinals of the Miami Open.

Angelique Kerber barely broke sweat as she dropped just four games in a 6-2 6-2 win over qualifier Risa Ozaki, while second seed Karolina Pliskova did not have to work much harder to get past her fellow Czech Barbora Strycova as she came out a 6-1 6-4 winner.

The same can’t be said for third seed Simona Halep, who saved a match point before eventually coming back to beat Sam Stosur 4-6 7-5 6-2.

The Romanian was staring down the barrel at a set and 5-2 down before she reeled off 11 of the next 13 games to book her last-eight spot.

However, fourth seed Dominika Cibulkova was ousted as she fell in straight sets to Lucie Safarova, with the Czech, who specialises i n doubles, winning 7-5 (7/5) 6-1.

Johanna Konta cruised into the quarter-finals for a second successive year after seeing off Lara Arruabarrena i n straight sets, winning 7-5 6-1.

Although the Romanian has struggled with injury and form so far in 2017, Konta, typically, is not looking too far ahead.

“I’m happy that I’m still here and get to play another match,” she said in her post-match press conference before she found out the identity of her opponent. “I don’t necessary believe in open fields because every single player in this draw is world class.

“I’m just happy to still be part of the event, and whoever I play next I know it’ll be a tough game and I look forward to being a part of it.”