Novak Djokovic gained 12 of the final 14 video games of his match in opposition to Lorenzo Musetti to crush the Italian 6-2 6-2 and transfer into the quarterfinals of the Miami Open in his finest efficiency for the reason that Australian Open.
The momentum within the rain-delayed match appeared to swing in Djokovic’s favor when he complained to the chair umpire within the opening set over a serve clock warning.
That frustration appeared to spark the Serbian, who broke the following sport for a 4-2 lead and by no means seemed again within the presence of an adoring crowd that included tennis greats Serena Williams and Juan Martin del Potro.
“I used to be star-struck. It was superb to see first DelPo, clearly a long-time pal and a rival, so joyful to have him round and get his help from the field,” Djokovic stated. “It was superb, it was [the] first time to have DelPo within the field, so I wish to thank him actually for coming. And Serena, that was a shock.”
Six-times Miami champion Djokovic crushed an beautiful backhand winner for a 5-2 second-set lead and sealed the win when Musetti double-faulted on match level.
“Truly, after I had that down-the-line passing shot, I pointed to her and requested her whether or not it was okay,” he added. “She stated, ‘yeah, it was superb’. If Serena says it was superb, then it was superb by everybody else’s requirements.”
Subsequent up for fourth-seeded Djokovic is American Sebastian Korda, who prevailed 6-4 2-6 6-4 over veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils earlier within the day.
Korda misplaced an exciting three-setter to 24-times Grand Slam champion Djokovic of their solely earlier assembly within the Adelaide closing in 2023.
Argentine Francisco Cerundolo upset three-times main finalist Casper Ruud 6-4 6-2 to achieve the quarter-final of the event for the third time in 4 years.
Cerundolo by no means confronted a break as he pummeled the fifth-seeded Norwegian with six aces and 21 winners, establishing a gathering with 14th seed Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated dwelling hope Brandon Nakashima 6-4 7-5.
On the ladies’s facet, Italian sixth-seed Jasmine Paolini saved seven of the eight break factors she confronted to defeat Magda Linette and attain the semi-finals.
Paolini will subsequent face world primary and first-time Miami semi-finalist Aryna Sabalenka, who beat China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-2 7-5 in a rematch of their 2024 Australian Open closing.
“At all times powerful battles in opposition to her,” Sabalenka stated after extending her head-to-head file in opposition to Zheng to 6-0.
“At the moment I needed to work actually onerous, particularly in that second set. I am actually happy with the best way I dealt with my feelings.
“Even when one thing did not work effectively, I used to be there and I used to be preventing for each level.”
Reuters contributed to this story.
