Roger Federer makes his return as Novak Djokovic eyes another title at the Miami Open.
Federer has been sidelined since the Australian Open due to a knee injury and makes his return at the ATP 1000 event. Standing in his way of success will inevitably be Djokovic, winner of the BNP Paribas Open and two-time defending Miami champion.
The Serbian will be hard to stop, although the likes of Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal are also playing at the hard-court event in Florida. Djokovic was in form heading to Indian Wells and he maintained that by winning the title. The World No. 1 holds a 22-1 win-loss record this year, adding three titles, including the Australian Open.
Djokovic has also won the Miami crown five times so that will make him even harder to stop, but he has been part of the controversy surrounding the prize money discussion leading in. The man he beat in the Indian Wells final – Milos Raonic – has also impressed this year, but he is under an injury cloud after battling a leg injury in the decider.
Pressure on Murray
Joining Djokovic in having points aplenty to defend is Murray, who was runner-up last year. The Brit made a surprise third-round exit at the hands of Federico Delbonis at Indian Wells and must better that.
Murray is also a two-time champion in Miami.
Kind draws for Djokovic, Federer
It has been kind to Djokovic, with Tomas Berdych the highest-ranked player in his quarter. Federer could face David Ferrer in the last eight, although the Spaniard may have to overcome Marin Cilic first. The blockbuster quarter of the draw includes Nadal, Wawrinka, Raonic and Nick Kyrgios.
That leaves Kei Nishikori in Murray's quarter, but the Brit could face Delbonis in the third round.
Djokovic beat Murray 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-0 in last year's decider, but he had been pushed on his way there. Alexandr Dolgopolov and Martin Klizan both managed to take sets off Djokovic before he got to the final.
Nadal and Wawrinka made third-round exits.
12-match winning streak
Djokovic is on a 12-match winning run in Miami. His last loss there came against Tommy Haas in 2013. Murray has 600 points to defend and that puts him in danger of losing the number two ranking to Federer. The 17-time Grand Slam champion skipped the event last year so has points to gain.
Another injury worry for Raonic, who hurt his adductor at Melbourne Park. After his loss to Djokovic, the Canadian said: "[It felt] similar, but not as bad. I don't think I let it get as bad."
As for Djokovic, his incredible form has continued. "I have been managing to win most of the big matches against top-10 players," he said. "Obviously I have a certain routine and certain preparation for these big matches that works for me."
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