Novak Djokovic delivered an emphatic show to seal his place within the Miami Open ultimate with a straight-sets victory over Grigor Dimitrov in entrance of the watching Lionel Messi.
The 24-time grand slam champion wanted simply 69 minutes to safe a one-sided 6-2 6-3 win towards his Bulgarian opponent.
Djokovic, 37, is bidding to land his one centesimal profession title – a document seventh in Florida – and his first since teaming up with Andy Murray as his coach.
Regardless of dropping his opening service recreation, Djokovic raced to the primary set in half-hour after producing simply two unforced errors.
He by no means regarded in peril of dropping the second – lacking simply six first serves in all the match – as he booked his place in his eighth ultimate in Miami and his first since Shanghai in October.
Djokovic: Pretty much as good as I’ve felt since Olympics
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Djokovic says he feels nice heading into the Miami Open ultimate with out dropping a set and believes he’s taking part in his finest tennis because the Olympics
After his last-four triumph, Djokovic informed Sky Sports activities: “It feels nice. I did not assume I might beat my proportion of first serves from the previous match, however I did and that makes life simpler on the court docket.
“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 simply 19, however on Sunday he’ll play for a century of titles towards both Jakub Mensik or Taylor Fritz.
Djokovic: A terrific honour to play in entrance of Messi
Soccer legend Messi traded his traditional process of captaining Main League Soccer aspect Inter Miami for a watching temporary within the stands as he loved a classic Djokovic efficiency first-hand.
“Amazing to have him,” Djokovic stated on Messi’s attendance. “It is a great honour to play, probably for the first time, in front of him live.
“I’m actually grateful he was right here along with his son and the household. I admired him after all as a lot of the world did for many of his profession and it’s superb he nonetheless retains going. We are literally the identical age, born in 1987, so it’s good to have him round.”
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports activities app.
