The Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac outlasted the rain and his Russian opponent, fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev, 6-4, 6-4 on Friday in the second round of the Miami Open in Miami Gardens, Fla.
After waiting out a six-hour delay before play began, Machac needed just 66 minutes to register the victory — the first of his career against a top-10 opponent.
Machac dominated with his first serve, winning 32 of 37 points (86 percent) and saved the only two break points he faced.
Czech countryman Jakub Mensik, who recently upset Rublev, assisted Machac in his preparation for the match.
“I asked Jakub for some information after he beat him in Doha,” said Machac, 23. “(Mensik) is 18 years old and playing well, and we’re all pushing ourselves. It helps to show we can beat these kinds of players.
“It’s tough to feel emotions now after a long day. I played very well and I’m super happy to get the win.”
The weather caused the postponement or suspension of all other matches except for one. France’s Ugo Humbert, the 14th seeded, defeated the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-3.
–Field Level Media