Will Murray Bring the Heat in Miami?

Miami may be missing two of the sport's biggest stars, but Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and a few surprises will heat things up at this week's Sony Tennis Open.

By Erik Gudris

(March 18th, 2013) -- This year's Sony Tennis Open in Miami may feel incomplete to some with the two high-profile absences in the men's draw. But even without Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, there's plenty for tennis fans to keep an eye on in the next ten days.

Top seed and two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic will aim for his fourth Miami title and it's hard to see anyone stopping him -- at least early on.

Djokovic will open against the winner of the Gilles Muller versus Lukas Rosol match and then could get veteran serve and volleyer Feliciano Lopez later. Ageless wonder Tommy Haas also looms here and could test Djokovic if the Serb gets out to a scratchy start as he can be prone to do in early rounds.

Djokovic's potential quarterfinal opponent is up for grabs. Fellow Serb No. 7 seed Janko Tipsarevic is still dealing with injury and that leaves him vulnerable against either veteran Lleyton Hewitt, the up and down Gilles Simon or big serving Kevin Anderson who reached the quarters of Indian Wells. But all in all, this is a navigable draw for Djokovic who should reach the semis again.

Pick: Djokovic

No. 3 seed David Ferrer will be looking to rebound after his early exit in the California desert. He'll get a qualifier to start and then could face the winner of possible second round that should be televised, but likely won't, between mercurial Frenchman Benoit Paire and Italian showman Fabio Fognini. Dangerous foes Jeremy Chardy of France and Japan's Kei Nishikori are also here, but they would really have to be on their games to disrupt the steady Spaniard.

The question for No. 5 seed Juan Martin Del Potro is if he's running on fumes after his stunning run to the Indian Wells finals. Probably, but is there anyone in his section who can stop him? Fellow Davis Cup teammate Juan Monaco, who's still struggling with his form, is here along with a tantalizing opening round all-American battle between James Blake and Ryan Harrison. But perhaps it's the always testy Julian Benneteau of France that Del Potro should watch out for as Benneteau could be looking for some revenge on the Argentine who defeated him in the Rotterdam finals earlier this year.

Pick: Ferrer

Local resident, by way of Scotland, No. 2 seed Andy Murray headlines the bottom half of the draw. Murray practices on the purple courts of Crandon Park and will need all his adopted hometown experience against a possible early meeting with crafty Bernard Tomic. The Aussie will be hungry to get a big win to match his bravado, so Murray better be sharp early. If Murray survives, he could later face Grigor Dimitrov or Jerzy Janowicz. But Murray's steadiness should outlast either no matter how much brilliant shotmaking that they throw at him.

Speaking of brilliance, No. 6 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is Murray's projected quarterfinal foe, but as we all know, one can't really pencil in Tsonga for later rounds. That's why there's a real chance for either John Isner, who may feel less pressure now that he's no longer U.S. No.1 or perhaps Marin Cilic to find themselves knocking off Tsonga and facing Murray in the last eight.

Pick: Murray

It's tempting to write in No. 4 seed Tomas Berdych's name in ink for the final four. He's a former finalist and remains a tough out on hard courts. The Czech's biggest tests early on could come from either Canada's Milos Raonic or Sam Querrey who will get his first taste of the spotlight as the new U.S. No. 1. We've been waiting for Raonic to make his move into the last rounds of a really big event. Will this be his moment?

If you like one-handed backhands, then you will love the section led by No. 8 seed Richard Gasquet. He, along with fellow backhand artists Mikhail Youzhny, Philipp Kohlschreiber and Nicolas Almagro will all be swinging away for the quarterfinals.

Pick: Raonic

Fans may be missing Rafa and Roger, but there's still plenty of talent on hand to keep us entertained for the next two weeks. Ultimately, the finals feel like it will yet again be a showdown between Djokovic versus Murray, a matchup that could well become the most consistent and important rivalry this season. Last year, Djokovic got the better of the Scot. But this time, don't be surprised if it is the somewhat local boy by way of Dunblane raises his game and ends up getting showered with purple and green confetti while celebrating his win.

Semifinals: Djokovic d. Ferrer; Murray d. Raonic
Finals: Murray d. Djokovic

(Photo Credit: Natasha Peterson/Corleve)