In front of an elite crowd that included football icon Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic delivered a masterclass to defeat Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 and advance to his first Miami Open final since 2016.
The victory moves Djokovic one win away from his 100th career ATP title, a milestone only three other male players have ever reached.
The 37-year-old Serbian, currently ranked world No. 5, put on a dominant display in what became the oldest ATP Masters 1,000 semi-final in history, showcasing his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Dimitrov, who had been in fine form leading up to the match, started strong by breaking Djokovic in the opening game. However, the 24-time Grand Slam champion quickly regrouped, breaking back immediately and then winning five consecutive games to claim the first set in commanding fashion.
Djokovic’s Unstoppable Form
Djokovic, watched closely by his coach Andy Murray, was at his clinical best despite the tricky windy conditions. He kept his composure, committing only five unforced errors, compared to Dimitrov’s 32.
“There were a couple of tight games in the last part of the match,” Djokovic said after the win. “It was 4-2, 30-30 and he missed a couple of forehands, and then I found some really good serves with new balls in the last game.”
Speaking about the challenging playing conditions, he added:
“The wind was not consistent, changing a lot. It’s not easy to find control of the ball. I tried to make him play in these conditions because he’s a clean hitter.”
“I knew he’d struggle if I made him play an extra shot.”
The six-time Miami Open champion has now reached yet another record milestone, becoming the oldest ATP Masters 1,000 finalist ever at 37 years and 10 months.
Chasing History: Djokovic Eyes 100th Title
With this victory, Djokovic now stands one win away from an exclusive club—he could become only the fourth man in history to reach 100 ATP titles, following Jimmy Connors (109), Roger Federer (103), and Ivan Lendl (94).
“Ever since I won my 99th [title], which was the Olympic Games in Paris, I’ve been playing with the prospect of winning the special 100 titles,” Djokovic revealed.
“I’ve been trying to find that necessary and much-needed level of tennis that will put me in a position to fight for a trophy, a big trophy.”
He added, “I’ve been very happy with the way I prepared for the tournament, the way I’ve been playing.”
“I haven’t dropped a set. It’s a great opportunity. Let’s see what happens in two days.”
Dimitrov Falls Short Again
For Grigor Dimitrov, a former Miami Open finalist, it was another frustrating exit.
The 14th seed, known for his elegant playing style and shot-making ability, started strong, breaking Djokovic in the opening game, but quickly lost his grip on the match. His unforced errors piled up, and Djokovic capitalized on every mistake.
A distracted Dimitrov struggled further after a fan was ejected from the stadium for making comments that appeared to irritate the Bulgarian.
Despite flashes of brilliance, he managed to hold serve only three times in the second set, but Djokovic was simply too dominant.
Final Showdown: Djokovic Awaits His Opponent
Djokovic will now face either unseeded Czech Jakub Mensik or American Taylor Fritz in Sunday’s final. Their semi-final clash takes place later on Friday.
If Djokovic wins, he will further cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, achieving a milestone only three others have managed before him. All eyes will be on the Serbian as he looks to make history once again in Miami.
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