Miami Masters: We look at the eight main contenders to triumph at Crandon Park

We look at the eight main contenders to triumph at the Miami Masters, with Novak Djokovic fancied to defend his title.

Novak Djokovic – 4/5 with Sky Bet

The world No 1 is the clear favourite with three wins from the last four editions, and four titles in total. He is attempting to win back-to-back Indian Wells and Miami Masters titles in successive seasons after beating Roger Federer in Sunday’s final in California, leaving him 4,000 points clear at the top of the rankings.

Andy Murray – 9/2

The Scot is the only other active player to have won the event with triumphs in 2009 and 2013 (two-time winner Roger Federer is not taking part this year). Murray uses Crandon Park as his training base so is perfectly suited to the conditions but has lost his last six meetings with Djokovic, starting with his defeat here last year.

Rafael Nadal – 6/1

The Miami Masters is just one of three 1000 event titles which elude the Spaniard, who has reached the semi-finals four times but lost on each occasion. His quarter-final loss to Milos Raonic, a first in six meetings, in Indian Wells signalled he is still some way off his best and his twisted ankle in practice on Tuesday casts further doubts over his chances.

Tomas Berdych – 16/1

The big-hitting Czech continues to prove a perennial nearly man, losing two finals, two semis and one quarter-final this year. His solitary title at this level came nearly a decade ago on the carpet in Paris, making each-way the only option for those considering backing the world No 9 following a favourable draw.

Stan Wawrinka – 16/1

Last year’s Australian Open champion enjoyed an encouraging start to 2015, with titles in Chennai and Rotterdam either side of a five-set semi-final defeat to Djokovic at Melbourne Park. However, his form has plummeted of late, suffering back-to-back losses to players outside the top 50 in Marseille and Indian Wells.

Kei Nishikori – 20/1

The Japan star also failed to live up to expectations in California, suffering a straight-sets loss to Feliciano Lopez in the final 16. It may well prove a blessing in disguise with fatigue a potential factor following his Davis Cup heroics against Canada. It seems a matter of time before a big win comes his way but the presence of Djokovic in his half will not aid those aspirations.

Milos Raonic – 22/1

Canada’s ace machine enjoyed one of the biggest wins of his career in seeing off Nadal in Indian Wells, before slumping to a ninth defeat in 10 to Federer. The draw has not been favourable with Grigor Dimitrov (trails head-to-head 1-2) potentially waiting in the round of 16, Nishikori (trails head-to-head 2-5) in his quarter and then Djokovic (trails head-to-head 0-5) likely to advance.

David Ferrer – 33/1

The Spaniard boasts more titles than any other player on tour in 2015 thanks to wins in Doha, Rio de Janeiro and Acapulco but is all but written off by Sky Bet. His odds reflect the significance of being drawn in the same quarter as Djokovic, who has won their last seven meetings.