Novak Djokovic is now just a single victory away from etching another milestone into his legendary career, cruising into the Miami Open final with a commanding 6-2, 6-3 win over Grigor Dimitrov in a match that rarely left room for doubt. The Serbian superstar, whose return to top form has been the talk of the tournament, dominated the semi-final from start to finish, displaying clinical precision on serve and laser-sharp focus throughout.
Maintaining an astonishing 87% first-serve percentage, Djokovic barely gave Dimitrov any breathing space, winning nearly four out of every five points behind that serve. In fact, with only six first-serve misses across the entire contest, his service game looked almost untouchable—his opponents left swinging at shadows and scrambling for rhythm. It was vintage Djokovic, a reminder of how lethal he can be when operating in full flow.
This powerful display not only punched his ticket to Sunday’s final but also unlocked a new chapter of achievements. He now stands on the brink of capturing his 100th ATP title—an exclusive feat in the sport’s storied history. The final in Miami will be the 142nd of his illustrious career and an eye-popping 60th at the ATP Masters 1000 level, a record he continues to stretch.
But the numbers don’t stop there. At 37 years and 301 days, Djokovic has become the oldest player to reach a Masters 1000 final since the series began in 1990, eclipsing the previous mark held by long-time rival Roger Federer. He has now matched Andre Agassi’s record with his eighth Miami Open final appearance, further cementing his dominance at this event since its inception in 1985.
His journey through the Sunshine Double—Indian Wells and Miami—has also put him in elite company. With 100 match wins across these two prestigious tournaments, Djokovic now joins Federer (122 wins) as the only men to reach triple digits in this arena.
Reflecting on his red-hot form, Djokovic shared his thoughts post-match: “It feels great to get to the final without dropping a set,” he told Sky Sports Tennis. “I probably feel as good as I have felt since the Olympics last year.”
Comparing his own serve to the likes of big-serving giants, he added: “I thought I wouldn’t beat the percentage of first serves in from the last match, but I did it. It was 83 per-cent in the last match and 87 per-cent today. Now I know how it feels to be like John Isner! And [Ivo] Karlovic and [Reilly] Opelka. It certainly makes life a lot easier on the court.”
Despite dealing with swirling winds and tricky court conditions, Djokovic adapted with ease, finding clutch serves when it mattered most. “I found some really good serves with new balls in the last game and it was really tricky conditions today. The wind was not consistent and it was changing a lot. So it was not easy to find control.”
When asked about chasing title number 100, Djokovic acknowledged the moment with clarity and determination. “After the Olympics, which was my 99th title, I knew that every tournament I play I am going for 100. I wasn’t able to achieve that… until hopefully Sunday. I am going to go all in. I haven’t dropped a set. I’m playing really good tennis, as good as I’ve played in a long time.”
Adding a touch of glamour to the occasion, global football icon Lionel Messi was spotted courtside during the semi-final, watching Djokovic’s masterclass unfold. It was a moment of sports royalty converging—two titans from different arenas, both celebrated for rewriting the record books.
As Djokovic nears his 38th birthday, performances like this continue to defy time and critics alike. His longevity, matched with his unrelenting hunger for greatness, proves yet again why he remains the gold standard in men’s tennis. Anyone who thought his reign was waning is now being reminded—emphatically—that the king still rules the court.