ATP: Draw for ATP Masters 1000 in Miami: Del Potro on crash course with Djokovic

The draw for the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami brought a tough draw for Indian Wells champion Juan Martin del Potro. The Argentinian could face six-time record winner Novak Djokovic in the round of 16. Roger Federer, on the other hand, has an allegedly easier task ahead of him.

However, Del Potro would have to eliminate Sunshine double in his second match, Kei Nishikori, who tries a comeback to the ATP tour in Miami after successful appearances at Challenger level. The Japanese player could face Peter Gojowczyk after a walk-through, who first has to deal with a qualifier.

Federer, who played the first ATP Masters event of his career in Miami in 1999, also starts as number one in the seed list in the second round against a qualifier. The Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, who trained with Djokovic, and Pablo Carreno Busta would then wait from the paper form. Tomas Berdych or Kevin Anderson could be the opponents in the quarter-finals.

Alexander Zverev’s opening opponent will be determined in the first round match between youngsters Stefano Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev. Should he overcome this hurdle, it would probably come to a clash with David Ferrer before a hot game against Nick Kyrgios or Fabio Fognini.

Alexander’s brother Mischa starts against the Frenchman Benoit Paire, the winner can then beat Djokovic. Jan-Lennard Struff plays in round one against the Swede Mikael Ymer, who is in the main competition thanks to a wildcard.

Maximilian Marterer will play his first match against the Hungarian Marton Fucscovics, after which his opponent would be Grigor Dimitrov.

Del Potro is aiming for the Sunshine Double in Miami after his triumph at Indian Wells, a feat he has achieved over the past four years: last year Federer won both tournaments, three years earlier Djokovic was the shining man at both venues.

Here is an overview of the men’s draw.