OMNISPORT

Three-time champion Novak Djokovic headlines a strong field at the Rogers Cup as the world number one returns to the court for the first time since winning Wimbledon.

Djokovic has not played since last month's SW19 victory against Roger Federer, who has opted to prioritise the US Open instead of the Rogers Cup, but the top-seeded Serb will feature at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Montreal, which will host the tournament starting on Monday.

The 28-year-old Djokovic - winner of the Rogers Cup in 2012, 2011 and 2007 - boasts a 48-3 win-loss record this year as he prepares to face either Pablo Cuevas or Thomaz Bellucci in the second round.

French Open champion and familiar foe Stan Wawrinka, who is seeded third, and fellow seeds Tomas Berdych (fifth) and Milos Raonic (eighth) are on the same side of the draw as Djokovic.

Home favourite Raonic has been hampered by a foot injury this season, with the world number 10 limited to just two tournament appearances since the Madrid Open in May.

But the Canadian is on the mend, though he is mindful that he is someway off his best.

"I'm feeling better and better," Raonic told reporters ahead his first-up match against the winner of Jerzy Janowicz versus Ivo Karlovic.

"I have to try and find my game. I have to try to use all of the shots in my arsenal. I like competing. And it's always more special in Canada."

Andy Murray (second), Kei Nishikori (fourth), Marin Cilic (sixth) and Rafael Nadal (seventh) make up the top eight seeds and have been granted a bye into the second round.

Reigning champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga returns to defend his crown in Canada, while Gilles Simon (ninth), Richard Gasquet (11th), Kevin Anderson (12th), David Goffin (13th), Grigor Dimitrov (14th), Gael Monfils (15th) and John Isner (16th) are also seeded.

Along with Federer, the Rogers Cup will be missing David Ferrer, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Juan Monaco due to injury.