Novak Djokovic 'nervous' to play in front of Lionel Messi at Miami Open, heckler removed in semi-final win
Updated 29/03/2025 at 08:28 GMT
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Another title is within reach for Novak Djokovic after he progressed into the Miami Open final with a comfortable semi-final win over Grigor Dimitrov. The Serbian, who was watched by Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, has yet to drop a set in the tournament and looks back to his brilliant best. He will play the winner of Jakub Mensik v Taylor Fritz in Sunday's final.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his victory over Grigor Dimotrov of Bulgaria in the semi-finals of the men's singles at the Miami Open.
Image credit: Getty Images
Novak Djokovic eased past Grigor Dimitrov with a dominant 6-2 6-3 victory to reach the Miami Open final.
The six-time winner was in imperious form again, brushing his opponent aside in just over an hour.
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi watched on from the crowd, appreciating the brilliance of a fellow sporting great who looks to be on his way towards yet another title.
"It’s a great honour to have King Leo in the stands. I think it’s the first time I’ve played in front of Messi, and honestly, I was a little nervous," Djokovic said after the match.
"I am very grateful for his attendance with his family. I have always been a fan of him, as most of the world has, throughout his career."
There was a moment of drama early in the first set when a heckler was ejected from the stadium after an exchange of words with a visibly angered Dimitrov.
But it was business as usual for Djokovic, unflappable and unerringly consistent on his way to another convincing win.
Djokovic broke Dimitrov's serve in the first game and always looked a step ahead of his opponent, who had needed medical attention after a three-hour quarter-final against Francisco Cerundolo on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old lacked the explosiveness to really test Djokovic, who put together a run of seven successive games with the first set at 2-2 to accelerate away.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner was unstoppable on his serve, going 40 minutes without losing a point and landing an impressive 87% of first serves.
"As far as my game goes, again, serve was definitely the highlight of the match," Djokovic said. "I think I was 83% [first-serves made] last match, and I thought it would probably be difficult to beat that, but today 87%.
"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."
Djokovic is now just one match away from becoming the third player in men's tennis to win 100 ATP singles titles, after Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).
He will meet either Jakub Mensik in Sunday's final, after he stunned American Taylor Fritz in a back-and-forth three-set thriller.
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"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 added.
"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."
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