Novak Djokovic sums up Miami Open performance against Sebastian Korda in ‘one word’ after breaking another Roger Federer record
World No.5 Novak Djokovic has secured a berth in the semifinal of a tournament for the second time this season.
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Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Sebastian Korda (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, Australian Open)
Novak Djokovic managed to stop his quarterfinal match from heading toward the decider. Djokovic locked horns with Sebastian Korda on Thursday (March 27) and won the quarterfinal clash with a 6-3, 7-6(4) scoreline.
Korda was on the verge of winning the second set as he took a 5-2 lead. Djokovic was in no mood to let Korda capitalize on his lead. He quickly made his comeback, played long rallies, and kept the American player on the back foot before securing the set through the tie-breaker. When asked to comment on how he managed to turn it around, Djokovic credited his serve as the sole reason behind his overall performance.
I can sum it up in one word: serve. I served very well. It was probably my best serving performance, not only in this tournament but in a long time. I’ve been serving well throughout the event, but especially today. I hit 11 aces and when I needed to find the first one, I did. In the tiebreak, at 5-4, I hit a winning serve and an ace at 6-4 to win the match. I believe I needed a service game like today, it makes your life much easier.
Novak Djokovic said at the press conference
The match, which lasted for an hour and 22 minutes, saw Djokovic winning 84 percent of his first-serve points. Djokovic, in fact, delivered his best serve of the 2025 season in this match. His first serve accuracy was 42 cm from the sidelines and the speed was 119mph.
At 37 and ten months, the Serb became the oldest ATP Masters semifinalist since 1990. He surpassed Roger Federer, who had made it to the last four at 37 and seven months back in 2019. Djokovic has improved his head-to-head record over Korda to 2-0. Before the Miami Open quarterfinals, they met in the 2023 Adelaide International final, which Djokovic clinched in three sets.
Novak Djokovic chasing seventh Miami Open title
Novak Djokovic is playing at the Miami Open for the first time since 2019. His last title in the tournament came in 2016 when he also completed his fourth Sunshine Double.
The six-time Miami Open champion is currently tied with Andre Agassi for the most titles in the tournament. He won the event for the first time in 2007 and then took home the trophy in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016.
He has also progressed to his eighth Miami Open semifinal and is also into his record-extending 79th ATP Masters 1000 semifinal. The 40-time Masters 1000 winner is aiming to win his 100th ATP title and his first tour-level trophy since the 2023 ATP Finals.
He has a 20-1 win-loss record in Miami after the quarterfinals. The only time he suffered a defeat was in the final in 2009 against his current coach Andy Murray. Djokovic also improved his win-loss record on hard courts this season to 48-7.
Novak Djokovic to play Grigor Dimitrov next
Djokovic will now be expecting a difficult match against his old friend, Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian was on the cusp of elimination against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo as he ran out of gas toward the end of the match. He felt dizzy and received help from a tournament doctor and ATP physio.
The 14th seed and the runner-up in last year’s Miami Open has met the 24-time Grand Slam champion 13 times but could secure a win just once.
The upcoming match will be their first encounter since the 2023 Paris Masters final, which Djokovic had won. The sole victory the 33-year-old registered against Djokovic was in 2013 in the third round of the Madrid Open.
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