Federer enters Sony Open looking like old self; Hewitt wins 600th career match in first round

KEY BISCAYNE, Florida: When Roger Federer takes the court Friday for his first match of this year’s Sony Open, he’ll do so with a bigger, more powerful new racquet and a renewed enthusiasm about a career again on the upswing.

After a disappointing 2013 season dampened by back injuries and a 45-17 record, Federer, who will face Ivo Karlovic in the second round after a bye, enters with a 19-3 record in 2014, including the most wins (four) of any player this year against top-10 opponents.