OMNISPORT

Roger Federer appears set to make an earlier than expected return to action at the Miami Open.

The 17-time grand slam champion has not played since losing to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, undergoing knee surgery in February.

Federer had targeted a comeback at the Monte Carlo Masters in April but indicated in a Twitter post he will be fit to compete in Miami. The ATP Masters 1000 tournament starts next Wednesday.

And the tournament's official Twitter account responded, offering the Swiss a warm welcome back to action.

Federer has reached the Miami Open final on three occasions, winning in 2005 and 2006.