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Roger Federer returns to action in Miami this evening
*Federer 4-3 Kokkinakis
Kokkinakis’ serving time had the crowd restless in the last game.
But Federer takes no time at all to win game number seven.
Federer 3-3 Kokkinakis*
Federer shows his class with some magnificent forehands to go 30-15 up before getting his first break-point of the set.
However, Kokkinakis’ offensive play sees him rally back.
*Federer 3-2 Kokkinakis
20 minutes into set number three and we yet to see a break point.
Federer wants this finished but Kokkinakis is refusing to lie down.
Federer 2-2 Kokkinakis*
Kokkinakis’ serves are proving tough to deal with.
*Federer 2-1 Kokkinakis
Federer goes big on his second serve at 40-0 to give Kokkinakis the chance to get a point on the board.
Put another stroll of a game for the Swiss star.
Federer 1-1 Kokkinakis*
The 21-year-old isn’t letting this one lie.
Exceptional serving.
*Federer 1-0 Kokkinakis
Much better from the veteran.
He wants this game put to bed.
Third set
Federer 3-6 Kokkinakis*
Pressure? What pressure!
The 175th seed holds his nerve and his serve.
We go to a deciding set.
*Federer 3-5 Kokkinakis
Fed not giving up on the second set just yet.
Federer 2-5 Kokkinakis*
Federer seems to be picking his game up again.
But some massive serving from the Australian sees him hold his serve.
*Federer 2-4 Kokkinakis
Federer shows his class once again, firing back.
Federer 1-4 Kokkinakis*
The youngster holds his serve and moves three games ahead.
*Federer 1-3 Kokkinakis
Kolkkinakis breaks the world No 1.
A double fault from Federer gives the 21-year-old some encouragement.
Game well and truly on now.
Federer 1-2 Kokkinakis*
Another hold for Kokkinakis. Makes a big difference to his game when he gets the first serve in.
Federer* 1-1 Kokkinakis
Kokkinakis is unable to make a dent on Federer’s serve so far as the world number one moves him all across the court.
Federer 0-1 Kokkinakis*
Kokkinakis slips to 0-30 with two unforced errors but the Australian get to 30-30.
A double fault gives Federer a break point opportunity but saves it with a drive volley.
Credit to Kokkinakis as he survives this game to take an early lead.
Second Set
Federer* 6-3 Kokkinakis
First set Federer. It’s been a 34-minute stroll so far.
The highlight being a ludicrous behind the back volley.
Federer 5-3 Kokkinakis*
Kokkinakis is getting just 42 per cent of his first serves in and it is getting him into trouble.
But he comes through to force Federer to serve for the set.
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Can Thanasi Kokkinakis spring a surprise in Miami?
Federer* 5-2 Kokkinakis
Old school serve and volley from Federer wins him the point to go 40-15.
Kokkinakis pegs him back but Federer gets over the line to move within one game of the set.
Federer 4-2 Kokkinakis*
Good overhead from Kokkinakis to start the game, followed by a backhand down the line winner.
Kokkinakis then passes Federer at the net with a cross court forehand before the Swiss then goes long to give the game to the Aussie.
Federer* 4-1 Kokkinakis
Wow. Federer stuns the crowd as he hits a volley from behind his back at the net. But credit to Kokkinakis, who stays focused and makes the forehand pass.
Nevertheless, Federer strolls through another service game.
Federer 3-1 Kokkinakis*
A win for Kokkinakis would make him the lowest ranked person to beat Federer in 15 years.
Bad call! Federer looks in position to win the point and earn his first break point but the line judge calls the ball out and it is quickly overruled by the umpire. Federer stands, hands on hips, rueing the decision.
Federer does get his first break point but puts his service return into the net.
The Swiss star gets another chance and his gifted an early break when Kokkinakis finds the net.
Federer* 2-1 Kokkinakis
Federer holds his serve to love.
Federer 1-1 Kokkinakis*
Nice service game to settle Kokkinakis’ nerves.
Federer* 1-0 Kokkinakis
Comfortable service hold for Federer to start the match. An ace and a forehand down the line winner the highlights.
First Set
Federer on court
Roger Federer strides onto the court to a huge ovation from the Miami crowd.
Kokkinakis also gets a warm welcome.
Play to start soon.
Halep beaten
Halep failed to capitalise on her first set win and the world No 1 is out!
A huge win for Radwanska.
Federer should be on court in around 15 minutes.
Almost there
Federer is due on court after Simona Halep is finished taking on Agnieszka Radwanska.
The Romanian took the first set 6-3 but was comfortably beaten 2-6 in the second.
What could have been…
Tennis fans are all grateful for Federer’s contribution to the sport.
But it all could have turned out so very differently.
Speaking before his return to the court this week, Federer was asked what career path he would have taken had he not played tennis.
And the Swiss star responded with a shock answer.
“A retired soccer player by now,” Federer told the Miami Herald.
“I was hoping to be a soccer player once upon a time.
“I liked midfield and scoring goals, but in the end I chose tennis because I didn’t want to blame the goalie or defender, I wanted to be in total control.”
Kokkinakis confident of an upset
Despite being at the beginning of his career, Kokkinakis is not cowering away from the task at hand this evening.
And the youngster truly believes he can beat Federer this evening.
“I think if I serve well and play well, I can have a good crack, but obviously playing Roger is tough. I think the majority of the crowd will be supporting him, which is not too much of a surprise. But it is what it is,” he told the ATP World Tour website.
“If I play well, I think I can do some good things.
“[I know] everything about him so if I lose it’s completely on me. I’m sure he doesn’t show everything on the practice court. But I’ve seen what I can and I’m going to go out there and have a crack.”
Recent form
As mentioned, Federer suffered his first defeat of 2018 when falling to Del Potro in California last week.
But the Swiss star does already have two titles to his name in 2018.
Wins in Australia and Rotterdam saw Federer return to the top of the ATP world rankings.
And it would be a huge shock should he crash out in round two here.
Kokkinakis, on the other hand, sits 175th in the world at present.
The 21-year-old has never faced Federer.
But a shock victory this evening would surely be the pinnacle of his career so far.
Welcome
Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Roger Federer vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Federer is the favourite heading into this clash and will be hoping to avenge his Indian Wells defeat to Juan Martin del Potro last week.
It all starts at around 7pm UK time in Miami.
Be sure to stay here for all the latest updates.
