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IMAGE: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates victory over Bulgaria’s Grigor Dmitrov in the Miami Open men’s singles semi-final at Hard Rock Stadium, Florida, on Friday. Photograph: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images/Reuters
Novak Djokovic is one win away from a 100th career singles title after breezing past Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 on Friday to reach the Miami Open final, where he will face either third seed Taylor Fritz or rising Czech Jakub Mensik.
After being broken to start the match, Djokovic quickly settled, breaking back in the next game and again for a 4-2 advantage on a mis-hit forehand by 14th seed Dimitrov.
IMAGE: Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dmitrov after the semi-final. Photograph: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Serbian pocketed the first set when the Bulgarian’s volley sailed long and he maintained the momentum in the second to race to a 3-0 lead.
Djokovic pounded an unreturnable serve on his second match point to improve to a 13-1 career record against Dimitrov.
The fourth seed’s serving masterclass in South Florida showed no sign of letting up in the semi-final. He missed just six first serves while pounding five aces to one double fault.
“After that first game, where I don’t think I did anything wrong he just played a phenomenal game to break my serve, I just felt I was in the flow,” Djokovic told the Tennis Channel.
“I was playing all the right shots, making him play an extra shot … overall another great straight-sets win to put myself in a fantastic position to fight for a trophy in two days’.”
IMAGE: Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi watches the match with his his family in the stands. Photograph: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Djokovic has played 307 ATP Tour-level tournaments in his storied career and triumphed in 99 of them. Of the 76 Grand Slams he has entered, the Serbian has won a men’s record 24.
American Jimmy Connors won 109 singles titles during the Open Era while Swiss great Roger Federer captured 103.
Djokovic will be the favourite in Sunday’s final to win a seventh Miami Open crown, which would break his tie with Andre Agassi for most titles at the Masters 1000 event.
Inter Miami’s star player Lionel Messi was among those at Hard Rock Stadium to watch 37-year-old Djokovic, who is widely considered the greatest men’s player of all time.
