Novak Djokovic has once again etched his name into the history books. The 37-year-old Serbian superstar became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 semi-finalist ever, surpassing Roger Federer’s previous record. At 37 years and 10 months, Djokovic continues to defy expectations, proving that age is just a number in his relentless pursuit of greatness.
Djokovic secured his place in the Miami Open semi-finals with a 6-3, 7-6(4) victory over American Sebastian Korda. The match, postponed from Wednesday, saw Djokovic at his imperious best, especially on serve, where he dominated key moments with precision and power. The fourth seed won an astonishing 84% of his first-serve points, dropping just a single point on his first delivery in the opening set.
Turning Back the Clock
Despite falling behind 3-0 in the second set and facing a 5-3 deficit, Djokovic demonstrated his legendary resilience. With his back against the wall, he elevated his game, engaging in extended rallies to force errors from Korda. His ability to stay composed under pressure once again made the difference. The tie-breaker saw Djokovic’s signature clutch performance, sealing the match with a powerful ace.
Reflecting on his win, Djokovic acknowledged the importance of his serve.
“As good as one can feel about his serve,” he said. “Unbelievable serving the whole tournament. I needed it today because Sebastian was making me run, and he played some great tennis from the baseline.”
This victory improved Djokovic’s head-to-head record against Korda to 2-0, with their only other meeting coming in the 2023 Adelaide final, where Djokovic staged a dramatic comeback.
One Step Closer to History
With the win, Djokovic moves into his eighth Miami semi-final and a record-extending 79th at the Masters 1000 level. Now, just two wins away from claiming his seventh Miami Open title, he is also on the cusp of his 100th tour-level trophy—an achievement that would further cement his status as one of the greatest players of all time.
Standing in his way is Grigor Dimitrov, a familiar opponent whom Djokovic has dominated in their previous encounters, leading their series 12-1. The Serbian will look to continue his momentum and add yet another milestone to his illustrious career.
Elsewhere in the tournament, American Taylor Fritz survived a rollercoaster match against Matteo Berrettini, overcoming six squandered match points to win 7-5, 6-7(7), 7-5. Fritz now faces rising Czech star Jakub Mensik in what promises to be an exciting battle for a spot in the final.
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