MIAMI – Novak Djokovic is just two wins away from claiming his 100th career title after defeating Sebastian Korda 6-3, 7-6(4). Meanwhile, world number one Aryna Sabalenka dominated Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-2 to reach her first Miami Open final on Thursday.
Djokovic let out a victorious roar after sealing the match with an ace, while his former rival and current coach, Andy Murray, leaped from his seat in celebration. The 37-year-old Serbian, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, was down 5-2 in the second set but broke Korda’s serve at 5-3, using his precise and powerful serves to complete the comeback.
“I’ve been serving great throughout the tournament, but today I especially needed it in the second set to mount a comeback,” Djokovic told Tennis Channel. “In the tiebreak, a few key points made the difference— a service winner at 5-4 and an ace at 6-4 to close out the match. I’d say that was the highlight.”
With his victory, Djokovic, who turns 38 in May, became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 semi-finalist, surpassing Roger Federer, who reached the final four at Indian Wells and Miami at 37 years and seven months in 2019. The match was originally set for Wednesday but was postponed due to ATP regulations designed to prevent late-night finishes.
Fourth seed Djokovic, chasing a record seventh Miami Open title, will take on 14th-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in Friday’s semi-final.
Meanwhile, unseeded Czech Jakub Mensik defeated 17th-seeded Frenchman Arthur Fils 7-6(5), 6-1 and will face American Taylor Fritz in the semis. Fritz, the third seed, battled past Italian 29th seed Matteo Berrettini 7-5, 6-7(7), 7-5, finally converting his seventh match point after missing six chances in the second set.
On the women’s side, Sabalenka dominated with a 77% success rate on her first serve, delivering six aces while saving all four break points she faced. She also capitalized on four of her five break opportunities against Italian sixth seed Jasmine Paolini, wrapping up the match in just 71 minutes.
The top-seeded Belarusian, who lives in South Florida and arrived in Miami after a runner-up finish at Indian Wells, has yet to drop a set in her five matches. Next, she will face American fourth seed Jessica Pegula, who ended Philippine wildcard Alexandra Eala’s fairytale run with a hard-fought 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3 victory.
In the women’s draw, Sabalenka dominated with a 77% first-serve success rate, firing six aces and saving all four break points she faced. She also converted four of her five break chances against Italian sixth seed Jasmine Paolini, securing victory in just 71 minutes.
The top-seeded Belarusian, who resides in South Florida and entered the tournament following a runner-up finish at Indian Wells, has yet to drop a set in her five matches. Up next, she will take on American fourth seed Jessica Pegula, who ended Philippine wildcard Alexandra Eala’s dream run with a gritty 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3 win.
