Analysis for Russel-Hanescu (ATP Miami)

Head-to-head record 0:0

American Michael Russell will play Romanian Victor Hanescu in the first round here. Home qualifier Michael Russell is best known for holding match point in the 4th round of the 2001 French Open against eventual champion Gustavo Kuerten. In the 2007 Australian Open, he held a two sets to love lead over former U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt before succumbing in five sets. In the 2007 Indian Wells Masters event, he made it to the final 16 players in a 96-player field, after upsetting Tomas Berdych in round 2. He reached his career highest ranking of 60 in August 2007 after reaching 2nd round of Montreal TMS. Last season was kind of nightmare for Michael falling out from the top 300 but he now seems to be coming back. Recently, he won the Future tournament on US soil and performed well at Indian Wells and in qualifiers here – he defeated Alves and Korolev. Russell is a defensive counter-puncher, known for his footspeed and consistency. John McEnroe described him as a particularly dogged competitor, saying that "no one's going to try harder on a tennis court than Michael Russell." He is a player who is hard to beat when he gets on a run and we think his self-confidence must be high after dominy through the qualifiers. He likes the conditions here, he is a good and fast baseline player. Hanescu is not having the best season so far – lost to Youzhny and Tursunov in Davis Cup match and lost to Chardy at Indian Wells Tournament. 4 Points on Michael Russel to win this one.