Agence France-Presse
Miami, March 26: Top-ranked Novak Djokovic made a strong start in his quest for a third consecutive Miami Open title while Roger Federer’s expected return from a two-month injury lay-off was over before it started.
Djokovic, seeking his sixth Miami crown overall and the first ‘three-peat’ since Andre Agassi in 2001-2003, opened by defeating Britain’s 87th-ranked Kyle Edmund 6-3, 6-3 in the ATP and WTA hard court event here Friday.
“I had a solid performance,” Djokovic said. “I started with the right intensity and good focus. I had slight ups and downs but I’m pleased. I’m looking forward to the next match.”
But third-ranked Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam singles champion who underwent left knee surgery last month, withdrew from the tournament just hours before his match, citing a stomach virus.
“I have not felt great for a few days and unfortunately it got worse in the last 24 hours,” Federer said. “I was really excited to have my comeback in Miami but I am in no condition to play. I tried to warm up this morning but it was clear that I could not compete.”
Federer has not played since losing to Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals two months ago. The next morning, Federer suffered a torn meniscus while preparing to bathe his children.
Federer was replaced by 58th-ranked lucky loser Horacio Zeballos, who made the most of his chance by defeating Argentine compatriot Juan Martin del Potro 6-4, 6-4.
It was only the third event for 366th-rated Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, in his comeback following his left wrist surgery last year and he struggled with pain. “I was suffering a little bit,” Del Potro said. “It was worse than my first match but I hope nothing dangerous.”
In the women’s event, reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber and Spanish fourth seed Garbine Muguruza, last year’s Wimbledon runner-up, reached the third round.
German second seed Kerber cruised past Czech Barbora Strycova 6-1, 6-1 while Muguruza battled for two hours and 45 minutes before subduing Slovakia’s 54th-ranked Dominika Cibulkova 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 7-5.
Spanish sixth seed Carla Suarez Navarro was ousted by American CoCo Vandeweghe 6-4, 6-2 while Swiss seventh seed Belinda Bencic retired with a lower back injury trailing Czech Kristyna Pliskova 1-4.
Tenth seed Venus Williams, a three-time Miami winner, was eliminated by Russian qualifier Elena Vesnina 6-0, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2. “I couldn’t afford many errors and she was on,” Venus said. “It’s tough to play your best tennis against an opponent so inspired that you can’t get into the match.”
