The Gods of tennis draws have not been kind. After a first round bye Richard will face the winner of Montanes/Koubek in the second round of Miami.
After that his opponents are very likely to be David Nalbandian, Andy Murray and Fernando Verdasco in a possible quarter final, all of them in great form at the moment. An opportunity for Richard to show the offensive game and fighting spirit which he demonstrated in Melbourne. If he does that, the draw will look less dangerous: Besides, tennis is always full of surprises.