When will Novak Djokovic play his first match at the Miami Open? Schedule revealed
NOVAK DJOKOVIC will look to bounce back from Indian Wells disappointment at the Miami Open, but when will the Serb first be in action? Express Sport has all the details you need.
Miami Open: Novak Djokovic trains at Hard Rock Stadium
Djokovic was dumped out in Florida in the last-32 by Philipp Kohlschreiber, the German winning in straight sets.
But Djokovic heads to Miami as the world No 1, having won the last three Grand Slams.
And he is seeded No 1 and favourite to win his seventh title in the Sunshine State, having last won the tournament in 2016.
Djokovic will receive a bye in the first round of the Miami Open before entering the tournament in round two.
There he will face either Bernard Tomic or Tomas Berdych, in what is sure to be a tricky encounter.
Djokovic could face Indian Wells winner Dominic Thiem in the Miami Open semi-final while either Alexander Zverev or Roger Federer could await in the final.
And former world No 9 Chanda Rubin believes Djokovic will be strong in Miami, despite his early exit over in California.
“It's a little bit of a blip,” Rubin told the Tennis Channel.
“Novak has had a great start to the year, had a tremendous close to the last year, the last six months.
“This was not his best effort but do you have some flows and herbs that occur and certainly if it's gonna happen you'd gonna happen it here.
“Going into Miami, where he has some time to recover, and certainly going into the summer swing and the next Major.
“So I would not say it's too much to be concerned about but certainly something he needs to get geared up about.”
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Novak Djokovic’s projected Miami Open route
(based on ATP rankings)
First Round - Bye
Second Round - Tomas Berdych
Third Round - John Millman
Fourth Round - Fabio Fognini
Quarter Final - John Isner
Semi Final - Dominic Thiem
Final - Alexander Zverev/Roger Federer