Lob and Smash
Fansided

Novak Djokovic: 2018 Miami Open critical in his comeback

By Harry Floyd

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand in his first round match against Donald Young of the United States on day two of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand in his first round match against Donald Young of the United States on day two of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Novak Djokovic is a six-time champion at the Miami Open. The Serbian continues his comeback from injury at the 2018 event this week.

ATP World Tour action rolls on this week at the 2018 Miami Open. The second Masters 1000 tournament of the calendar year features several top players, including Novak Djokovic.

The Serbian great is playing in just his third ATP event on the year. Dealing with an elbow injury over the past year, Djokovic has played in only the Australian Open and Indian Wells so far in 2018. A strong run at Melbourne Park was cut short in the round of 16 when his injury got the best of him. Rising star Hyeon Chung knocked out the former world No. 1 at the Australian Open.

Djokovic appears to be feeling better heading into the Miami Open. While he splashed out of the second round at Indian Wells, he is hopeful for a solid performance this coming week. Djokovic last won the Masters 1000 tournament in 2016. It completed a three-year run of titles at the event. Last year, Roger Federer took the title.

Related Story: Genie Bouchard: 2018 Troubles

Roger Federer is the favorite going into play at the 2018 Miami Open. He finished runner-up to Juan Martin del Potro at the Indian Wells Masters.

Del Potro pulled the unexpected at Indian Wells, defeating defending champion Federer. Now, the Argentinian is the world No. 6 on the ATP World Tour and looks to carry his newfound momentum into Miami. Federer’s runner-up finish was yet another impressive 2018 performance though. Even with the six-time champion Djokovic in play, Federer should be considered the favorite this week. His Australian Open title, along with another in Rotterdam, reveal his red hot start to the 2018 ATP World Tour. He is showing no signs of letting up right now. As for Djokovic, the Serbian must prove he is healthy enough to be a dominant player on tour again. If he can accomplish this, Djokovic could easily begin the rise in the men’s singles rankings.

Next: Top 10 All-Time Men's Tennis

Stay tuned to see how Novak Djokovic and other top players in men’s singles tennis fare at the 2018 Miami Open. The second Masters 1000 event is upon us and setting itself up for some thrilling action this coming week.

Home/ATP