AFP, Miami :
Andy Murray will have to solve the problem of his patchy play quickly if he hopes to defend his Miami ATP Masters title against a star-studded field.
Murray departed Miami last year ranked second in the world after a razor- thin victory over David Ferrer in the final gave him his second Sony Open title.
He went on to claim an emotional second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, but the 26-year-old has yet to reach a final since having back surgery in September and is currently ranked sixth in the world.
The Scot was at a loss to explain a third-set collapse against big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the fourth round at the Indian Wells Masters last week and admitted his confidence was at low ebb.
That will put him at a distinct disadvantage against the likes of world number one Rafael Nadal, who returns to Miami after skipping last year’s tournament to rest his troublesome knees.
World number two Novak Djokovic also arrives in Florida brimming with confidence, having secured his first title of 2014 with a triumph over a revitalized Roger Federer in the Indian Wells final on Sunday.
“It was the first final I played this year,” Djokovic noted. “It was necessary for my confidence and hopefully I can carry that into Miami and the rest of the season.”
Djokovic was especially pleased that he came through some tough three-set matches, including rallying from a set down against Croatian Marin Cilic in the fourth round and Federer in the championship contest.
Getting through the tense encounters quelled the doubts he’d felt upon arriving Stateside for the two big hardcourt tournaments without a title for the first time in years.
