Flawless Djokovic cruises past Dimitrov into eighth Miami final
The Serbian will take on either Taylor Fritz or Jakub Mensik in the final on Sunday
Julien Nouet / Tennis Majors
Novak Djokovic moved to within one win of a 100th ATP Tour title after he played near flawless tennis in tricky conditions to beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Miami Masters on Friday.
The 37-year-old made just five unforced errors, landed 87 percent of his first serves and outplayed Dimitrov to take his winning record over the Bulgarian to 13-1.
Djokovic will play either third seed Taylor Fritz or Czech Jakub Mensik in Sunday’s final. He’s the oldest man ever to make the final – his eighth in Miami – and he joins Roger Federer in reaching at least one final every year for 20 straight years.
“It feels great,” Djokovic told Sky Sports courtside. “Obviously not dropping a set. I wouldn’t have thought I could beat my first serve percentage of the other day, 83, but I did, 87.
“Now I know how it feels to be John Isner, I guess, (Ivo) Karlovic, (Reilly) Opelka, it makes it easier on the court.
“Overall, very tricky conditions today, the wind was swirly and not consistebt, so it was not easy to find control of the ball but I haven’t dropped a set and feeling as good as probably since the Olympics (last summer, when he won the gold medal).”
Dimitrov breaks early but no chance thereafter
Dimitrov, a finalist in Miami last year, had the audacity to break Djokovic in the first game but that was as good as it got for the Bulgarian, who was thoroughly outplayed.
He had a couple of half chances to get a break back late in the second set but Djokovic came up with perfect serves just when he needed them. Now he is one win victory away from a big milestone.
“After the Olympics, which was my 99th title, I knew that every tournament I play I am going for 100,” Djokovic he explained. “I wasn’t able to achieve that–until hopefully Sunday. I am going to go all in. I haven’t dropped a set. I’m playing really good tennis–as good as I’ve played in a long time.”
Ahead of his victory, Djokovic beat Australian Rinky Hijikata (6-0, 7-6 (1)), Argentinian lucky loser Camilo Ugo Carabelli (6-1, 7-6 (1)), Italian Lorenzo Musetti, the No 15 seed (6-2, 6-2) and American Sebastian Korda, the No 24 seed (6-3, 7-6 (4)).
Dimitrov, ranked No 15, previously defeated Italian wild card Federico Cina (6-1, 6-4), Russian Karen Khachanov, the No 22 seed (6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-5), American Brandon Nakashima, the No 31 seed (6-4, 7-5) and Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo, the No 23 seed (6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (3)).
Miami Masters 1000, other semi-final result:
- Jakub Mensik vs. Taylor Fritz
