Sony Ericsson Open, Miami
Date:
25 March to 5 April
Coverage:
Updates on BBC Radio 5 Live, live scores/text commentaries on BBC Sport website & mobiles. Live on Sky Sports.
 Federer has not reached the semis in Miami since 2006
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Roger Federer hopes to end a drought of 12 Masters events without a win at this week's Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.
The former world number one has won 14 times at the elite Masters level but not since Cincinnati in August 2007.
"I hope this year I can change that and get on a good roll again," he said. "I've done so well over the last few years I'd like to win a few again."
Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray will be among Federer's rivals, while Serena Williams heads the women's field.
The top seeds in Miami all have byes in the first round, with British number one Murray set to face Marc Gicquel or Juan Monaco in round two on Friday or Saturday.
He has been drawn in the same half as Nadal, who begins against Simone Bolleli or Teimuraz Gabashvili, while Federer will take on Michael Llodra or a qualifier.
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With Rafa the last few matches, for instance, it has been down to a few points here and there. That makes a difference of winning a Slam or not winning a Slam
Roger Federer
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The women's event is without Maria Sharapova as she has again delayed her return from a serious shoulder injury, but Serena and Venus Williams are back after missing Indian Wells.
Top seed and five-times winner Serena could meet Indian Wells champion Vera Zvonareva in the last eight and Wimbledon champion Venus in the semi-finals.
British number one Anne Keothavong, ranked 51, is in the opposite half of the draw and begins against world number 48 Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic on Wednesday.
"I've never played Safarova before but I know it'll be a tricky match," Keothavong told her website. "She's a powerful lefty who has been ranked higher than she is at the moment."
Nadal thrashed Murray to win the Indian Wells Masters 1000 title on Sunday and the Spaniard has stretched his lead in the rankings over Federer, but the Swiss feels he is still in reach of the top spot.
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606: DEBATE
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In their last two meetings, Nadal has beaten Federer in dramatic five-set matches to win the Wimbledon and the Australian Open finals.
"I don't know if I really have to like make a major jump," said Federer, who lost to Murray in the Indian Wells semis last week.
"With Rafa the last few matches, for instance, it has been down to a few points here and there.
"That makes a difference of winning a Slam or not winning a Slam. So I think I just have to make sure next time I play him I get those couple of points."
And asked if he regretted his tearful reaction to defeat in Melbourne, Federer responded: "It had nothing to do with, 'Oh my God, I'm never going to win this tournament again,'" he said.
"We care about this game and try hard. When it doesn't happen, you know, we're not happy, we're sad. Instead of getting it out maybe in the locker room, it happened in the centre court in front of anybody.
"That's the tough part for me to handle. But I could handle it, and I still believe it shows that there is a human side to any player."
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