Novak Djokovic is just two wins away from capturing his 100th career title after defeating Sebastian Korda 6-3, 7-6(4), while world number one Aryna Sabalenka advanced to her first Miami Open final with a decisive 6-2, 6-2 victory over Jasmine Paolini on Thursday.
Djokovic celebrated with a triumphant roar after an ace on match point, as his former rival and current coach, Andy Murray, also reacted with excitement.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion from Serbia overcame a 5-2 deficit in the second set against Korda, breaking his serve at 5-3 and utilizing his precise serving to close out the match.
“I served very well throughout the tournament, especially today when I needed to come back in the second set,” Djokovic told Tennis Channel.
“In the tiebreak, a few key points determined the outcome, a 5-4 service winner and an ace at 6-4 to finish. That was the highlight.”
This victory makes Djokovic, who will turn 38 in May, the oldest ATP Masters 1000 semi-finalist, surpassing Roger Federer, who reached the final four at Indian Wells and Miami in 2019 at 37 years and seven months.
The match was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed to avoid late-night finishes.
Fourth seed Djokovic, aiming for a record seventh Miami Open title, will face 14th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in the semi-finals on Friday.
Unseeded Czech Jakub Mensik defeated 17th-seeded Frenchman Arthur Fils 7-6(5), 6-1 and will play American Taylor Fritz in the semis, who overcame Italian 29th seed Matteo Berrettini 7-5, 6-7(7), 7-5.
Third-seeded Fritz missed six match points in the second set but capitalized on his seventh opportunity in the decider to defeat Berrettini.
“I had two options: get frustrated and lose, or regroup and win,” Fritz said.
“Now I can sleep tonight.”
Pegula Ends Eala’s Run
In the women’s competition, Sabalenka won 77% of her first-serve points, hit six aces, saved all four break points, and converted four of five break point chances against Italian sixth seed Paolini in their 71-minute match.
The Belarusian top seed, a resident of South Florida, has not lost a set in her five matches at Miami, following her runner-up finish at Indian Wells.
Sabalenka will next face American fourth seed Jessica Pegula, who ended the impressive run of Philippine wildcard Alexandra Eala 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3.
“It’s great to win big matches in crucial moments,” said Pegula, who will play in her sixth WTA 1000 final.
“Aryna is one of the best at this. It will be a tough match.”
Pegula recovered from a 2-5 deficit to win the first set and led by a break in the second before 19-year-old Eala leveled the match, despite an ankle twist.
Pegula’s experience proved decisive in the final set, winning a match that finished well after midnight. She wrote “I’m tired” on a camera lens.
Eala, who defeated three Grand Slam champions during her run, received a standing ovation from the crowd and shared a warm exchange with Pegula at the net.
