Miami Open: Novak Djokovic cruises into final in front of watching Lionel Messi
Novak Djokovic reaches 60th career Masters final with straight-sets victory over Grigor Dimitrov; in Sunday's final the Serbian will meet Jakub Mensik, who beat Taylor Fritz; watch the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+, NOW and the Sky Sports app
Saturday 29 March 2025 08:15, UK
Novak Djokovic delivered an emphatic display to seal his place in the Miami Open final with a straight-sets victory over Grigor Dimitrov in front of the watching Lionel Messi.
The 24-time grand slam champion needed just 69 minutes to secure a one-sided 6-2 6-3 win against his Bulgarian opponent.
Djokovic, 37, is bidding to land his 100th career title - a record seventh in Florida - and his first since teaming up with Andy Murray as his coach.
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Despite losing his opening service game, Djokovic raced to the first set in 30 minutes after producing just two unforced errors.
He never looked in danger of losing the second - missing just six first serves in the entire match - as he booked his place in his eighth final in Miami and his first since Shanghai in October.
Djokovic: As good as I have felt since Olympics
After his last-four triumph, Djokovic told Sky Sports: "It feels great. I didn't think I would beat my percentage of first serves from the past match but I did and that makes life easier on the court.
"It was tricky out there today, the wind was swirling around and not consistent, but I have not dropped a set in this tournament and I feel as good as I have since the Olympics last year."
Djokovic took his first title in Miami in 2007 when he was just 19, but on Sunday he will play for a century of titles against Jakub Mensik.
In the other semi-final, Mensik hit 25 aces as he outlasted third-seeded Taylor Fritz to win 7-6 (4) 4-6 7-6 (4) in almost two-and-a-half hours.
Fritz grabbed the only break of the match at the start of the second set but made errors in the tie-breaks as Mensik booked his first ATP Masters 1000 final against his childhood hero.
"It feels incredible," he said about facing Djokovic "It was a dream to play against him in Shanghai. For now, it's a bit different.
"I am a better player now and I'm going to enjoy and it's going to be really exciting. Let's see what's going to happen Sunday."
Djokovic: A great honour to play in front of Messi
Football legend Messi traded his usual task of captaining Major League Soccer side Inter Miami for a watching brief in the stands as he enjoyed a vintage Djokovic performance first-hand.
"Amazing to have him," Djokovic said on Messi's attendance. "It is a great honour to play, probably for the first time, in front of him live.
"I am really grateful he was here with his son and the family. I admired him, of course - as most of the world did - for most of his career and it is amazing he still keeps going.
"We are actually the same age, born in 1987, so it is nice to have him around."
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