Novak Djokovic liked how he served against Sebastian Korda in the Miami Masters quarter-final! The Serb defeated the American 6-3, 7-6 in an hour and 22 minutes for a place in the last four, remaining on the course toward his 100th ATP title.
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Speaking about his victory, Djokovic mentioned his initial shot as the leading element that carried him through against a challenging opponent. The Serb hit 23 service winners, finishing many crucial points with his serve alone, which always helps.
The veteran served at 83% and suffered one break from the only chance offered to his opponent at the beginning of the second set.
Novak had the upper hand in the opening set. He suffered an early break in the second set and brought it back at the last moment at 3-5. The more experienced player played well in the tie break to reach his eighth Miami Masters semi-final.
Djokovic took 13 points more than Korda, building the advantage in service winners and from the baseline. The Serb provided five comfortable holds in the opening set. The six-time winner kept the pressure on the other side, and Korda fought well early on.
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Novak closed the seventh game with a service winner and made a push on the return in the next one. He tamed Sebastian's initial shot and grabbed a break at love after the rival's forehand error. The veteran served for the opener at 5-3.
He held at love with a forehand down the line winner, taking 12 straight points and moving 6-3 up in 29 minutes. Korda held at the beginning of the second set and made a push on the return in the next one to create two break chances.
He landed a backhand winner on the first, delivering a break and openinga 2-0 gap. Sebastian landed a service winner in the third game and cemented the lead. The American moved 4-1 in front with a forehand winner, controlling the pace in his games.
Korda held in game seven for 5-2 and served for the set in game nine. Djokovic stepped in and claimed an extended rally for a break chance. Novak caused Sebastian's mistake to pull the break back and extend the set.
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They served well in the remaining three games to introduce a tie break. Djokovic did the homework in his games and claimed all six points. He hit two service winners for 2-1 and secured a mini-break in the fifth point after Korda's loose forehand.
The Serb fired a powerful serve for 5-2 and two more at 5-4 to seal the deal in style and advance.
"I served very well. This was probably my finest serving performance in a long time. I have been serving well throughout the event, and especially today. I hit many good serves; they were there when I needed them, including at 5-4 in the tie break.
I needed a serving performance like this, especially in the second set. It makes your life easier. Sebastian felt his groundstrokes much better than in the opener. He made a great start, and I played too defensively, waiting for his errors instead of taking the initiative.
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Sebastian positions himself close to the baseline and plays fast tennis, which gives you no time to think. He served very well outside that one game of the opener where I got a chance to break him. It was a significant challenge and a tight match.
I'm happy to overcome these threats and advance," Novak Djokovic said.
