Djokovic, Azarenka look to defend Miami titles

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will try to defend their titles at the $9.6 million ATP and WTA Miami hardcourt event that begins on Tuesday.

The showdown stretches for nearly a fortnight and comes after Djokovic was upset in the Indian Wells semi-finals and Azarenka beat World No. 2 Maria Sharapova in Sunday's final, as she did in last year's Miami final.

Djokovic was upset by big-serving American John Isner, who lost to World No. 3 Roger Federer in the Indian Wells final.

Now thanks to the first-round byes for Miami's high seeds, Djokovic is off until Saturday when he faces either Argentina's Leonardo Mayer or Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.

“It's still a week to my first match, so I'm going to take some time, regroup,” Djokovic said.

AFP