Djokovic’s Historic Journey Continues as He Reaches Miami Open Semi-Finals

Miami, 2025 – Novak Djokovic’s quest for a 100th singles title remains very much alive as he stormed into the semi-finals of the 2025 Miami Open with a dominant 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) victory over American Sebastian Korda. The Serbian tennis legend achieved another historic milestone in this match, becoming the oldest player to ever reach the semi-finals of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament. At 37 years and 10 months old, Djokovic surpassed the previous record of 37 years and 7 months set by his great rival, Roger Federer.

This remarkable achievement once again highlights Djokovic’s exceptional longevity in the sport, and his ability to compete at the highest level despite being in the later stages of his illustrious career. His consistency, physical fitness, and mental toughness continue to defy expectations and cement his place among the greatest players in tennis history. With this win, Djokovic moves one step closer to another extraordinary career milestone: his 100th singles title, an achievement few players in the history of tennis have ever come close to.

Dominant Serving: A Key to Djokovic’s Victory

From the very first point, Djokovic’s dominance was evident. The Serbian star quickly asserted his authority, taking an early break of serve to lead 3-0 in the opening set. Djokovic’s serve, which has been a hallmark of his game throughout his career, was firing on all cylinders. He won a remarkable 84% of his first-serve points, and his 11 aces during the match proved crucial in securing the victory. His accuracy and power on serve made it difficult for Korda to gain any momentum, and Djokovic was able to dictate the pace of the match from the baseline.

Korda, despite his best efforts, struggled to find a rhythm. His aggressive groundstrokes were often put under pressure by Djokovic’s consistent returns, forcing him to play on the defensive. Though the young American showed moments of brilliance, particularly with his forehand, he was unable to break Djokovic’s serve and quickly found himself trailing in the opening set. Djokovic closed out the first set 6-3 in just over half an hour, demonstrating his ability to put his opponents on the back foot with relentless pressure.

The Second Set: Korda’s Fightback and Djokovic’s Composure

In the second set, Korda found his stride and fought back valiantly, refusing to give up. He played with greater aggression and purpose, making Djokovic work for every point. Both players held serve throughout the set, with Korda’s powerful groundstrokes and aggressive play pushing Djokovic to dig deep.

As the set progressed, Korda became more confident, and his serve began to gain more consistency. The American’s determination was evident, as he successfully held his ground against Djokovic’s relentless pressure. The match, which initially seemed like it might be a one-sided affair, had turned into a tense battle. Korda had his chances to break Djokovic’s serve, but the Serbian’s mental strength and defensive skills allowed him to hold on.

Eventually, the second set was forced into a tiebreak, where the stakes were high, and both players knew that the outcome of the match would be determined by a few crucial points. Korda, in particular, showed great resilience, keeping the pressure on Djokovic and making the tiebreak a nerve-wracking affair. However, Djokovic’s experience and mental fortitude shone through in the crucial moments of the tiebreak.

When it mattered most, Djokovic remained composed. He executed his shots with precision, never allowing Korda to gain control of the points. With the tiebreak score tied at 4-4, Djokovic held his nerve and won three consecutive points, securing the 7-4 victory in the tiebreak and closing out the match. This final, decisive set illustrated not only Djokovic’s physical prowess but also his exceptional mental toughness—qualities that have served him well throughout his career.

Djokovic’s Reflection on His Performance and the 100th Title

After the match, Djokovic reflected on his performance, particularly his serving. “I was serving really well, probably the best serving performance I’ve had in a long time,” Djokovic said in his post-match interview. “It was an important part of the match, especially when Korda started to find his rhythm. My serve helped me control the tempo, and I’m really pleased with how I managed to close it out.”

This win was not just a testament to Djokovic’s serving, but to his enduring excellence. At 37 years and 10 months, he remains one of the toughest competitors on tour, and his ability to maintain such a high level of play as he approaches his 100th title speaks volumes about his determination and professionalism.

Looking ahead, Djokovic is determined to achieve his 100th singles title, a feat that only a handful of players in tennis history have ever accomplished. With this victory, Djokovic moves one step closer to reaching that remarkable milestone, and his performance in the Miami Open thus far has shown that he is still a force to be reckoned with, no matter his age. His consistency and focus remain key elements of his game, allowing him to outlast younger, more physically gifted players.

The Semi-Final and Beyond: Djokovic’s Next Challenge

Looking ahead to the semi-finals, Djokovic will face Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, who also had a strong tournament to reach this stage. Dimitrov, known for his elegant play and versatile game, will be a tough challenge for Djokovic, but the Serbian has already shown that he is in top form and more than capable of handling whatever Dimitrov throws at him.

“I’m excited for the next match,” Djokovic said. “Grigor is a great player, and it will be another tough challenge, but I’m confident in my game and will give it everything I have to make it to the final.”

Rising Stars: Jakub Mensik and the New Generation

While Djokovic’s continued success is the headline of the tournament, there is also excitement surrounding the younger generation of players making their mark. Czech rising star Jakub Mensik has been one of the standout performers in Miami, reaching his first-ever Masters 1000 semi-final. The 19-year-old Mensik, ranked No. 54 in the world, has impressed with his powerful serve and consistent baseline game. In his quarter-final match, Mensik defeated France’s Arthur Fils 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, showing maturity beyond his years and dispatching the 2025 Indian Wells semi-finalist with relative ease.

Mensik will face third-seeded American Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals, with both players eager to continue their breakthrough runs. Fritz, who survived a thrilling three-set battle against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, is in fine form and will provide a stern test for the young Czech. It will be interesting to see if Mensik can continue his strong performance and make his first Masters 1000 final.

Women’s Draw: Pegula and Sabalenka Make Their Mark

On the women’s side, American Jessica Pegula also secured her place in the final with a hard-fought 7-6 (7/3), 5-7, 6-3 win over the 19-year-old rising star Alexandra Eala from the Philippines. Despite Eala’s incredible run to the semi-finals, which included victories over Grand Slam champions like Jelena Ostapenko and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, Pegula was too strong in the end. The match was a thrilling battle, with both players showing impressive skill and resilience. Pegula’s experience ultimately proved decisive, as she closed out the match after 2 hours and 24 minutes of intense action.

Pegula will face Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in the final, after Sabalenka demolished Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-2 in just 71 minutes. Sabalenka has been in superb form all week, and her aggressive baseline game and powerful serving were on full display against Paolini. This victory marks Sabalenka’s first-ever Miami Open final, and she will be looking to claim her first title in Miami after finishing as runner-up at Indian Wells earlier this month.

The 2025 Miami Open – A Tournament to Remember

As the 2025 Miami Open continues, tennis fans are being treated to some of the most exciting and unpredictable matches of the year. Novak Djokovic’s remarkable consistency and resilience have been on full display, while rising stars like Jakub Mensik and Alexandra Eala are proving that the future of tennis is bright. With Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka set to face off in the women’s final, and Djokovic aiming for his 100th title in the men’s draw, the conclusion of this tournament promises to be unforgettable.

Whether Djokovic claims his historic 100th title or not, his journey in Miami is yet another chapter in a career that continues to defy the odds. The 2025 Miami Open is shaping up to be a landmark tournament, with both seasoned veterans and new talents leaving their mark on the sport.