Six-time Miami Open champion Novak Djokovic beat Australia’s Bernard Tomic 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 in just 73 minutes on Friday night at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Djokovic has scored his sixth win in as many matches against the Australian player and his 43rd win in 49 matches in Miami. The world number 1 player fired 11 aces and dropped 15 points in ten service games.
Tomic converted his only only break point of the match at love in the fifth game of the first set, when he hit a forehand return winner. The Australian player wasted three game points in the next game and Djokovic broke straight back to draw level to 3-3, when the Australian player netted a backhand. Both players went on serve in the next six games setting up a tie-break. Djokovic got two mini-breaks and won all six points on serve to seal the tie-break 7-2 after 47 minutes.
Djokovic dropped just seven points in four service games and broke serve at 15 in the opening game of the second set. Djokovic went up a double break, when Tomic was serving at 2-4. The Serbian star hit three winners in the 8th game to seal the second set 6-2 in his first match at the Hard Rock Stadium. Djokovic has bounced back from the third round match against Phillip Kohlschreiber in Indian Wells.
Djokovic set up a third round match against Argentina’s Federico Delbonis, who edged past Australia’s John Millman 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-2).
“Tomic does not give you much rhythm at all. Every ball is different. He can play equally well in the court and far behind the baseline, slows down the pace. He just has a very unconventional shot. It’s hard to play someone that you cannot predict what’s next. I played better in the second set. Overall it was a solid match. The court in the Hard Rock Stadium has a very court. They have done a really good job. They have take a very bold step forward in the right direction. For us being a part of the Miami Dolphins Stadium is a treat”, said Djokovic in the post match interview.
Djokovic shares the all-time Miami title record with US legend André Agassi.