Bernard Tomic will have to beat Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro after Tomas Berdych pulled out of their first-round clash at the Miami Open.
Tomic was expected to face world No.1 Novak Djocovik in the ATP Tour event in a walkover as Berdych withdrew from the tournament with a back issue.
However the Australian will instead face off against 117th-ranked Monteiro after the 24-year-old won his qualifying match against South African Lloyd Harris.
“Not a good day at the office,” Berdych posted on Twitter.
“Unfortunately I have to pull out from my first round match. My back is not in the 100 per cent conditions (sic) and I have to be careful with my decisions.”
Tomic was knocked out in his Indian Wells opener earlier this month by Berdych’s Czech countryman Lukas Rosol.