Roger Federer: Swiss ace learns his first opponent at 2018 Miami Open
ROGER FEDERER will face Thanasi Kokkinakis as he starts his defence of the Miami Open in the round of 64 later today.
Roger Federer will face Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round of the 2018 Miami Open
The Australian eased through his first-round clash with Calvin Hemery, claiming a straight sets win to set up a first ever showdown with world No 1 Federer.
The No 175 took only 66 minutes to win 6-1, 6-2 and schedule a huge clash with Federer - who received a bye into the tournament’s second round.
Reigning champion Federer lost in the Indian Wells Masters final earlier this month, surrendering his title to Juan Martin del Potro as his 17-match winning streak came to an end.
But the Swiss legend will be confident of getting back to winning ways against Kokkinakis - who has only faced a top-10 player on five previous occasions, though he did beat Milos Raonic at the Queen’s Club Championships last year.
Thanasi Kokkinakis celebrates beating Taro Daniel in qualifying
Roger Federer was victorious against Rafael Nadal in the final of the 2017 Miami Open
The 20-time Grand Slam champion needs to reach the quarter-finals of the Florida event or will lose his No 1 status to rival Rafael Nadal, despite the Spaniard’s continued injury absence.
Kokkinakis has previously claimed that he enjoys a good relationship with Federer, saying in 2017: “He’s invited me over to Dubai a couple of times and I’ve done that.
“It’s cool having him there, I’ll train with him a few times. We get along really well.”
Roger Federer was beaten for the first time in 2018 by Juan Martin del Potro in California
Roger Federer congratulates Juan del Potro on Indian Wells win
The 21-year-old - whose highest career ranking was No 69 in June 2015 - has never gone further than the third round at a Grand Slam, though he has been hampered by injuries in recent years.
His best result was finishing as second to Sam Querrey at the Los Cabos Open, an ATP World Tour 250 series tournament, last season.
Federer faces Kokkinakis at the Crandon Park Tennis Center at approximately 3pm UK time.