Sony Open: Ivo Karlovic sets up showdown with Roger Federer

Roger Federer will face a tricky opening tie at the Sony Open Tennis in Miami, with big-hitting Ivo Karlovic awaiting in the second round.

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The fifth seed received a bye into the next round and Karlovic ensured he will join Federer on court by beating French qualifier Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) in his opening match.

Jeremy Chardy also battled through to the second round with a 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-5) victory over Juan Monaco of Argentina. Chardy's reward for his progress is a match-up with second seed Novak Djokovic, who won in Indian Wells last weekend.

Teymuraz Gabashvili will also face one of the top seeds in his next match. A meeting with David Ferrer is on the cards after the Russian won his opening-round clash against Marcel Granollers 6-4 6-3.

Former world No 3 Nikolay Davydenko saw his challenge ended at the first hurdle with a straight-sets defeat to Adrian Mannarino, but Radek Stepanek impressed in a 6-3 6-0 rout of German Daniel Brands.

Former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis came through a real fight to beat Santiago Giraldo 1-6 6-2 7-5 but Lukas Rosol was eliminated as world No 86 Dominic Thiem built on his run through qualifying with a notable 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 win.

Other first-round winners included Albert Montanes, Ivan Dodig and Thiemo De Bakker.