"It's the same for both Federer and juniors" - Taro Daniel promises to keep going after splendid Miami Open run comes to an end
After his splendid run at the 2023 Miami Open came to an end following a 3-6, 7-6 (3) loss to Emil Ruusuvuori, Taro Daniel has promised to keep going and focus on the upcoming claycourt season.
Daniel looked in good nick after beating 13th seed and former World No. 2 Alexander Zverev 6-0, 6-4 in the Round of 64 in Miami. However, the Japanese player found himself on the wrong side of the result in a pulsating third-round clash against Ruusuvuori.
Taking to social media, Daniel said he was at his best in the last three tournaments (Mexican Open, Indian Wells Masters and the Miami Open) and added that it was time to look ahead.
"The Miami Open is over. I think I was able to face myself as the strongest in these three tournaments. There is nowhere to go. I have no choice but to continue," he tweeted.
Daniel thanked his fans for all the encouragement he has received and stated that the feelings he has right now were not out of place among tennis players.
"It's the same for both Federer and juniors, and I think it's a feeling that everyone can share. Thank you for your encouragement! I will prepare for clay again," he added.
マイアミオープン終わりました。この3大会今まででも1番強い自分と立ち向かえたと思います。辿り着く場所はありません。続けるしかないのです。それはフェデラーでもジュニアでも同じであり皆がシェアできる感触だと思います。応援ありがとうございました！またクレーに備えて準備していきます https://t.co/RI1eLpJMdJ
Daniel, ranked 97 in the world, had earlier upset former top-10 player Matteo Berrettini at Indian Wells two weeks back and improved to 8-5 in the ongoing season after going 13-19 last year.
Taro Daniel banks on consistency
Taro Daniel has been in good form in the ongoing season. After beating Alexander Zverev in the second round of the Miami Open, Daniel said his focus was to accumulate more wins consistently this season.
“Sometimes you don’t know why things turn around and you have success. You keep rolling and it just happens. My plan is to keep accumulating more and more of these wins more consistently," he said, after his win over Zverev.
Divulging details about how he managed to stave off a threat from Zverev, Daniel said his focus was on not letting the German get back into rhythm.
“In the first set he was struggling and I just didn’t want to let him get his rhythm back,” Daniel added. “Sometimes it’s a matter of letting them keep playing badly. It’s a little bit of a dirty fight."
After just one tournament main draw win in the first two months of 2023, Taro Daniel has now won six of his last nine tour-level matches and all four qualifiers.