Miami Open 2018: Roger Federer needs to reach quarter-finals to maintain top spot

What’s the story?

Defending champion Roger Federer needs to reach at least the quarter-finals of the Miami Open 2018 in order to remain the World No. 1 until the end of the tournament. Failing to do so will reinstate Rafael Nadal at the pinnacle less than two months after Federer wrested away the top spot from the Spaniard.

In case you didn’t know

Federer has never won the Miami Open without laying his hands on the Indian Wells Masters trophy the same season. Last year, he completed the ‘Sunshine Double’ for the third time in his career to add to his 2005 and 2006 achievements.

The heart of the matter

After squandering three match points to Juan Martin del Potro in the Indian Wells final last Sunday, the 20-time Grand Slam champion dropped 400 points. That has brought his total points tally to 9660 with a slender 290-points cushion over Rafa.

With the southpaw unable to play at Miami, he will drop 600 points this fortnight for being the runner-up in 2017, bringing his tally to 8770. Thus, a run to the quarter-finals will deliver 180 points to the Swiss, helping him overhaul his greatest rival.

What’s next?

Federer opens his campaign on Saturday against a qualifier, on beating whom a potential third round meeting with Fernando Verdasco awaits. The Spaniard got the better of the ATP World Tour Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov at Indian Wells and can very well provide some stiff resistance to the Swiss.

Author’s take

The draw looks promising for a fourth title at Crandon Park for the numero uno player. Having lost just one match so far this year, he should be motivated to keep winning and have a shot at avenging the defeat to the Argentine in the final.

Even if the Tower of Tandil does manage to make it to the summit clash, his winning streak might finally catch up with him, brightening Federer's hopes further.