MiamiSerbian faces Fritz or Mensik in Sunday’s final
March 28, 2025
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Novak Djokovic is aiming for a record-extending 41st ATP Masters 1000 trophy. By Grant Thompson
Novak Djokovic moved within one win of capturing his 100th tour-level title and a record-breaking seventh Miami Open presented by Itau trophy after defeating Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 on Friday.
In the oldest semi-final in ATP Masters 1000 series history (since 1990), the 37-year-old Djokovic continued his trend of stellar serving this fortnight, undeterred by breezy afternoon conditions. The No. 5 player in the PIF ATP Rankings made 87 per cent of his first serves, winning 79 per cent of those points, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
“As far as my game goes, again, serve was definitely the highlight of the match,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “I think I was 83 per cent [first-serves made] last match, and I thought it would probably be difficult to beat that, but today 87 [per cent]. I don’t know what to say, I’ve been serving really well and hopefully I can continue in the same fashion because that definitely makes my life easier on the court.”
With Lionel Messi and Venus Williams in attendance, the fourth seed was flawless from the baseline, committing just five unforced errors (four off his backhand and one double fault) throughout the 70-minute victory. Djokovic has not dropped a set this tournament.
Read Lionel Messi watches Novak Djokovic win Miami SF
Greatness in attendance 🏡
🐐 @TeamMessi @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen | @InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/YoOTMCfiRM
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 28, 2025
Rain threatened at the end, with a few drops falling inside Hard Rock Stadium, but Djokovic finished the job on his second match point, sealing his 11th straight tour-level win against Dimitrov.
Djokovic now leads the Bulgarian 13-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. The 33-year-old Dimitrov, a finalist in Miami last year, was out of answers after a physical quarter-final against Francisco Cerundolo on Wednesday, when he needed assistance from a tournament doctor and ATP physio to leave the court following the two-hour, 48-minute match.
Into a record-extending 60th ATP Masters 1000 final, Djokovic will meet American Taylor Fritz or #NextGenATP Jakub Mensik in Sunday’s championship match (not before 3 p.m. local time).
“After the Olympics, which was my 99th title, I knew that every tournament I play I am going for 100. I wasn’t able to achieve that — until hopefully Sunday,” Djokovic said. “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.”
Djokovic is tied with his great rival Roger Federer for most consecutive seasons appearing in a tour-level final (20). The oldest finalist in Masters 1000 history, Djokovic is aiming for his first Miami triumph since winning at Crandon Park in 2016. Should he win his first trophy of the season, Djokovic would surpass Andre Agassi (6) for most Miami titles.
Did You Know?
Djokovic won his first of 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles as a 19-year-old in Miami in 2007. He defeated current coach Andy Murray 6-1, 6-0 in the semi-finals and Argentine Guillermo Canas in the final.
