M 1000 MIAMI OPEN. By Emiliano Naftali
Serbian star Novak Djokovic crushed Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 on Friday to advance to the final of the Miami Masters 1000, where he will compete for the 100th title of his extraordinary career.
Photo Gabriel Matteazzi
The 37-year-old Serbian needed just 70 minutes to dismantle the 33-year-old Dimitrov on Wednesday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium. With this victory, Djokovic became the first man in history to reach 60 Masters 1000 finals.
Photo Gabriel Matteazzi
From one of the VIP boxes of the Dolphins’ stadium, Argentine legend Lionel Messi, along with his wife Antonela and their three children, as well as Venus Williams, witnessed this remarkable moment for Djokovic. “I’m very pleased they came to watch the match,” Djokovic said afterward. “It’s a great honor to have Leo in the stands. I think it’s the first time I’ve played in front of Messi, and honestly, I was a bit nervous. I’m very grateful for his presence with his family.”
With the momentum of a strong victory against Sebastian Korda in the previous round, Djokovic stepped onto the court with confidence and determination. Dimitrov, on the other hand, arrived after a tough battle against Francisco Cerúndolo, facing an opponent who had defeated him in 13 of their 14 previous encounters.
Djokovic has a storied history at the Miami Open, a tournament where he has reigned supreme on six occasions (2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016). Known for his dominance on hard courts, Miami has been one of his favorite hunting grounds, where he has showcased his adaptability and relentless baseline play. With his return to the final, he continues to etch his name in the history of one of the most prestigious events on the ATP calendar.