It will no longer be the winning car of his golden age, but Novak Djokovic,37 years old, continues to show his tennis qualities and above all to win. He will play the final of the Miami Masters 1000 challenging the 19 year old Czech Jakub fascinates54th player in the world, who made a small business by eliminating the favorite of the tournament, the American Taylor Fritznumber 4 of the world, for 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4).
La Performance at Djokovic
The Serbian champion, fifth in the raking ATP, liquidated the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov With an easy 6-2, 6-3. And now Aile aims to take home the number 100 trophy of his legendary career: in the male competition, they only precede him Roger Federer (103) and the record holder Jimmy Connors (109).
The words of the Serbian champion
“After the Paris Olympics (Gold Medal), which was my 99th title, I knew that every tournament in which I would compete would be an opportunity to get the 100th. I haven’t done it yet and I hope to do it on Sunday, “Djokovic said.” I will give the best. I haven’t lost a set yet. I’m playing an excellent tennis, my best for a long time. It’s a great opportunity. ”
The semifinal with Messi in the stands
Friday, under the eyes of Lionel Messiwho arrived as a neighbor, Djokovic quickly took command in his semifinal against Dimitrov, closing the first set in 32 minutes and counting on an excellent service (87% of the first balls). “We worked on the service with Andy Murray“, his former rival who became a coach,” but not only, and we also focused on other shots, “he said.
Djokovic and the long wait for a new ending
The Serbian with 24 titles of the Great Slam He hadn’t achieved a final since last October in Shanghai (defeat against Jannik Sinner), and does not win a trophy of the ATP Tour from Masters of Turin at the end of 2023. This season, he had shone in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open against Carlos Alcaraz before retiring in the semifinal for a thigh injury, then losing in his first games a Doha in February and Indian Wells At the beginning of March. All this before returning to shine at Miamitournament that has already won six times, but not since 2016, and in which he had not been competing since 2019.
Djokovic records
At 37, Djokovic beats the record of longevity: he becomes the older finalist in this category of tournaments, qualifying for the 60th time for the final, equaling the record of Other agassifor 40 wins so far. Beat for the thirteenth time in 14 meetings by Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov (15th in the world) paid tribute to the “freedom” shown by the Serbian: “When you have its record, you are obviously freer. This security showing is like a stain that cannot be canceled”.
La Performance in Menikan
As for Mensik, he qualified for his second tour of the tour, the first in a tournament of this level, and will aim for the first title in a generational clash against Djokovic. Despite its inexperience, the Czech has shown steel nerves to dominate the number 4 of the world, without ever stealing the service, losing the service only once in 2 hours and 30 minutes. It was only slightly stronger in the two Tiebreaks, including that of the third set, won by mistake of an opponent to his first match point after keeping the exchange well. Mensik, who defeated the French Arthur son In the quarterfinals, he won the five tie-breaks who had to play Miami with a formidable service (25 ace against Fritz), thanks in particular to his height (1.93 m). In the only meeting, Messik lost in three sets against Djokovic last October, in the quarterfinals in Shanghai.