Six-time champion Novak Djokovic beat Sebastian Korda 6-3 7-6 (7-4) in his first appearance at the Miami Open since 2019 to reach his 8th semifinal in Miami and his 79th at Masters 1000. Djokovic becomes the oldest Masters 1000 semifinalist in series history since 1990 surpassing Roger Federer, who reached the semifinal in Indian Wells and Miami in 2019 at 37 years and seven months.
Djokovic earned three break points twenty minutes into the match. The former world number 1 player broke at love in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead when Korda made a forehand error.
Djokovic earned three set point with an ace and sealed the first set with a forehand winner. Djokovic served 78% and won 17 of his first serve points.
Korda broke Djokovic in the second game of the second set to race out to a 3-0 lead. The US player held serve at love in the fifth game to open up a 4-1 lead. Djokovic hit a backhand winner down the lead, when Korda was serving for the second set at 5-3.
Djokovic drew a couple of forehand misses from Korda to break back for 4-5. Djokovic hit a forehand winner to hold serve for 5-5. Djokovic forced errors from Korda, who was two points from winning the set on return at 6-5.
Djokovic took a 5-2 lead in the tie-break with a mini-break on the fifth point. Djokovic hit a serve winner to earn a match point and sealed the win with an ace.
“It took some serves to get out of trouble. I was 0-3, 0/30 down, had some good serves and put myself in a position to break back, which I did. Tie-break could have been anybody’s game, but again, serve got me out of trouble. 5/4, serve winner. 6/4, ace to finish the match. I’ll take that as a highlight from the match today. As good as one can feel about his serve. Unbelievable serving the whole tournament, I’ve been serving really well. Especially today and I needed it because Sebastian in the second set was just making me run and he was playing really well from the back of the court, maybe not making as many errors like in the first set”, said Djokovic.
