Novak Djokovic becomes the oldest finalist of the Masters 1000, on the 100th career title – Firstpost

Novak Djokovic continued to prove that age is only a certain number by reaching the Miami Open final with a victory over Grigor Dimitrov. Djokovic has outraged Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, to improve his record against Bulgarian at 13-1.

The Serbian superstar has therefore become the oldest player to reach the final of a Masters 1000 to 37 year and 10 months event. Friday’s shock between Djokovic and Dimitrov, 33, was also the oldest in the history of Masters 1000 with a 70 -year -old combined age. In the end, it was the former of the two players who prevailed in the semi-final confrontation that lasted 69 minutes.

The Grand Chelem champion at 24 times, who had won his first Olympic gold medal in Paris last year, also finds himself a victory to finish a century of single career titles. If he beat the Czech adolescent not assessed Jakub Mensik, who is almost half of his age, in the final on Sunday, he will only become the third man in the history of tennis after Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) to win 100 titles.

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On Sunday, a victory will also bring the title of Djokovic to seven, which will pass him the six titles of Andre Agassi and will make him the most prosperous male player in the history of the tournament.

Djokovic, meanwhile, rebounded in style after being broken in his first service match to record his 10th consecutive victory on Dimitrov and maintain his record never to lose a semi-final of Miami Open. And as was the case in his triumph 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) on Sebastian Korda of the United States, it was his strong service game which was at the heart of his victory.

“It was very windy today, very difficult to control the ball, to change the direction all the time, but I had good services and I kept my nerves,” said Djokovic.

“The service was again the highest point of the match for me. I think it was 84% ​​the last game and I thought it would be difficult to beat this, but today it was 87% so I don’t know what to say?

“I hope I will be able to continue in the same way, because it is definitely facilitating my life.”

From one goat to another: Messi applauds Djokovic in Miami

Friday, looking at Djokovic Inch closer to his 100th tribune title, the Argentine football superstar, which currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo.

“It was a huge honor to have King Leo in the stands. It was the first time I played before him,” added Djokovic.

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Mensik, meanwhile, overcome a rigid challenge by the American Taylor Fritz in the other semi-final, the 19-year-old beating the world No. 4 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4) to reach his first Masters 1000 final.

He only faced Djokovic once before, having lost against him in Shanghai.