Novak Djokovic advanced to his first Miami Open final since 2016 with a dominant straight-sets victory over Grigor Dimitrov, bringing him within one win of his milestone 100th ATP career title. The 24-time Grand Slam champion overpowered the Bulgarian 6-2, 6-3 in a confident performance, extending his undefeated run at this year’s tournament without dropping a single set. Despite being broken in the opening game, Djokovic quickly regained control, reeling off five consecutive games to take the first set in commanding fashion.
Dimitrov struggled to regain momentum in the second, and Djokovic, watched courtside by his coach Andy Murray, capitalized on every opportunity to close out the match efficiently. Djokovic will now face unseeded Czech rising star Jakub Mensik in Sunday’s final. The 18-year-old stunned American Taylor Fritz in a dramatic semi-final, winning 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4) to reach the biggest match of his young career.
“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,” he said. “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.” “That’s what I’ve been doing this week, to be honest.
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.
