MIAMI — Top-ranked Novak Djokovic made a strong start Friday in his quest for a third consecutive Miami Open title while Roger Federer’s expected return from a two-month layoff was over before it started.
Djokovic, seeking his sixth Miami crown overall and the first “three-peat” since Andre Agassi in 2001-2003, opened by defeating Britain’s 87th-ranked Kyle Edmund 6-3, 6-3 in the ATP and WTA hardcourt event.
“I had a solid performance,” Djokovic said. “I started with the right intensity and good focus. I had slight ups and downs. I’m pleased. I’m looking forward to the next one.”
Djokovic, who captured his 11th Grand Slam singles crown at the Australian Open two months ago, will face Portugal’s Joao Sousa in the third round Sunday as he tries to add to a 2016 trophy haul that also includes Doha and Indian Wells.
The 28-year-old Serbian is 23-1 this year and has 25 of his past 26 Miami matches, including 11 in a row.
But third-ranked Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam singles champion who underwent left knee surgery last month, withdrew from the tournament just hours before his match, citing a stomach virus.
“I have not felt great for a few days and unfortunately it got worse in the last 24 hours,” Federer said. “I was really excited to have my comeback in Miami but I am in no condition to play. I tried to warm up this morning but it was clear that I could not compete.”
The 34-year-old Swiss legend missed the event for the third time in four years. He won at Miami in 2005 and 2006 but has not reached the final since.
Federer was replaced by 58th-ranked lucky loser Horacio Zeballos, who made the most of his chance by defeating Argentine compatriot Juan Martin Del Potro 6-4, 6-4.
Jeremy Chardy of France, the 28th seed, went down 6-4 6-4 to Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.
Reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber and Spanish fourth seed Garbine Muguruza, last year’s Wimbledon runner-up, reached the third round. German second seed Kerber cruised past Czech Barbora Strycova 6-1, 6-1, while Muguruza battled for two hours and 45 minutes before subduing Slovakia’s 54th-ranked Dominika Cibulkova 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 7-5.
Next up for Kerber is 108th-ranked Dutch qualifier Kiki Bertens. Muguruza will meet US wildcard Nicole Gibbs.
Spanish sixth seed Carla Suarez Navarro was ousted by American CoCo Vandeweghe 6-4, 6-2, while Swiss seventh seed Belinda Bencic retired with a lower back injury trailing Czech Kristyna Pliskova 4-1.
Tenth seed Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and three-time Miami winner, was eliminated by Russian qualifier Elena Vesnina 6-0, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2.
Vesnina, ranked 96th in the world, next faces British 23rd seed Johanna Konta, who defeated Montenegro’s 51st-ranked Danka Kovinic 6-4, 6-2 and is the top-seeded remaining player in her eighth of the draw.
The 14th seed Sara Errani of Italy fell 6-1 6-3 to Japanese wild card Naomi Osaka.
