Novak Djokovic from Serbia has displayed enormous amounts of quality match play this year. He has performed to his best in the Grand Slams. In the US Open he managed to beat Roger Federer in the semi-finals and then went on to lose to eventual champion Rafael Nadal in the finals. He will be playing Ernests Gulbis from Latvia in the first round of the tournament.

Ernests Gulbis has been persevering with the toughest competition on the circuit. He has managed to win one title this year at Delray Beach. Gulbis turned pro in 2004 and has been a sensation since.

Djokovic has a magnificent win/loss record which stands at 52/14 this year. Gulbis has a decent win/loss record of 29/18. Both the players have played three times before. The last time both of them was at Brisbane back in 2009 where Gulbis turned the tables to win in straight sets.

Djokovic can clobber his first serve at any given point of time in the match. He has his piercing forehand and tactical backhands which gives him baseline superiority over most of the players. Gulbis on the other hand will have to play to best to give the Serbian a run for his money.