Nick Kyrgios has the chance to ease his way back from illness after being handed a first-round bye at tennis’ unofficial fifth major, the Miami Open.

After battling through the so-called “quarter of death” to reach the quarter-finals last week in Indian Wells, Kyrgios withdrew from a much-hyped showdown with Roger Federer.

The Australian cited possible food poisoning.

But after a week’s rest, Kyrgios will open his campaign in Miami against either Damir Dzumhur or Hyeon Chung – both ranked outside the world top 50 – on Friday (Saturday AEDT).

He could face big-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic in the next round before a possible clash with David Goffin or David Ferrer.

While Kyrgios’s run in Indian Wells included clashes with young gun Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic and then his scrapped showdown with Federer – things don’t exactly get much easier if he wants to go all the way in Florida.

World No.3 Stan Wawrinka looms as a possible quarter-final opponent while Federer is a potential semi-final match up.

The 21-year-old’s prospects for a fourth ATP career title are however helped by the world’s top two players, Andy Murray and Djokovic, withdrawing with injury.

Kyrgios, who downed Djokovic for the second time this month during his run to the last eight in Indian Wells, has good memories of Miami.

He marched to his maiden Masters 1000 semi-final and reached the world’s top 20 for the first time there a year ago.

But it also means he has 360 points to defend, so anything less than a last four appearance may mean a drop from his current ranking of 16.