MIAMI/WASHINGTON, March 29, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)
When Novak Djokovic walked out on court to face Grigor Dimitrov in the first men’s semifinal of the Miami Open presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on a warm but windy Friday afternoon, it marked the oldest semifinal in ATP Masters 1000 history since the inception of the series in 1990. Imagine this, their combined age added up to 71 years and 262 days.
In an age of men’s tennis that celebrates youthful exuberance – think Carlos Alcaraz at age 21 or even teen Joao Fonseca at age 19 – 37-year-old Djokovic and 33-year-old Dimitrov represent a different generation of the sport that still knows a thing or two about playing the game well, and, just as importantly, winning consistently. Plus, these good friends put fans in the seats, which included international football great Lionel Messi and tennis legend Venus Williams.
Greatness recognizes greatness.@DjokerNole @TeamMessi @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen | @InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/9w9L0UyAvu
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 28, 2025
Although the fourth seed Djokovic brought a commanding 12-1 head-to-head advantage into his eighth Miami semifinal against No. 14 seed Dimitrov – making him a prohibitive favorite to win – the Serbian great still had a lot to be playing for beyond just pride. After all, he was attempting to advance to his first final of 2025, as well as advancing to a record-extending 60th ATP Masters 1000 final and to tie Hall of Famer Andre Agassi for most Miami finals with eight.
As for Dimitrov, he looked for his first win over Djokovic since 2013 at the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid. After failing to advance to the Miami quarterfinals in his first 12 appearances at the tournament, the World No. 15 Dimitrov was playing in back-to-back semifinals after reaching the final last year. He looked to reach his fourth ATP Masters 1000 final following previous successes at Cincinnati in 2017, Paris in 2023 and Miami 2024.
The conductor brings the orchestra to life
Relentless @DjokerNole advances into a record-extending 60th Masters 1000 final!@MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/R3kKuooxCn
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 28, 2025
As it happened, Djokovic won the semifinal tussle, 6-2, 6-3, in an hour and 10 minutes – and had all the right stuff going for him. After pushing ahead 4-2 and winning the final three games of the opening set, it was all one-way traffic in favor of Djokovic. He built a 3-0 advantage with an early break of the Bulgarian and never looked back. Although Dimitrov saved a match point in the eighth game of the final set, Djokovic served out the win in the next game. He set up his second match point with a service winner and closed out the victory when Dimitrov netted a backhand return. It was Djokovic’s 11th straight victory over Dimitrov and it kept him in contention for his 100th career ATP Tour title.
“After the Olympics [last July], which was my 99th title, I knew that every tournament I play I am going for 100. I wasn’t able to achieve that – until, hopefully, Sunday,” Djokovic said during his on-court interview with ATP Media. “I am going to go all in. I haven’t dropped a set. I’m playing really good tennis, as good as I’ve played in a long time.”
Djokovic put on a dazzling serving clinic against Dimitrov and placed 87 percent of his first serves in play, winning 79 percent (31 of 39) of his first-serve points. He served five aces, hit an economical 10 winners, made just five unforced errors and converted four of six break-point opportunities. It all added up to a 54-34 advantage in total points – and advanced the World No. 5, who has not faced any Top-10 opponents during the south Florida fortnight, into Sunday afternoon’s title match.
“As far as my game goes, my serve was definitely the highlight of the match,” Djokovic said. “I think it was 83 percent [first-serves made] last match and I thought, probably, it would be difficult to beat that. Today, I beat that, 87 percent. I don’t know what to say. I’ve been serving really well. Hopefully, I can continue in the same fashion. That definitely makes my life easier on the court.”
A pleasure to share the court with you as always, @GrigorDimitrov my friend.
Miami final number 8 here we come . Idemooo pic.twitter.com/m79Dq0Vm5O
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) March 28, 2025
Teen sensation Mensik upsets Fritz
Meanwhile, American No. 1 Taylor Fritz won his only prior meeting against Czech teenager Jakub Mensik at the 2023 US Open on Mensik’s 18th birthday. Now, the 27-year-old from California aimed to become second American man to reach Miami Open final since the event moved to Hard Rock Stadium behind John Isner in 2019. However, Mensik, now 19 and a #NextGenATP star, had other plans.
The World No. 54 from Czechia, who will debut in the ATP Top 30 next week after his thrilling run in Miami Gardens that has included three Top-20 victories, stood tough and sturdy for two hours and 25 minutes and defeated the World No. 4 Fritz, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (4), for his biggest triumph to date. The win advanced Mensik to his second ATP Tour final – and first above the 250 level – as he chases after his first tour-level title. Mensik will enter Sunday’s final against his idol, Djokovic, as the third-lowest ranked finalist in tournament history.
Dreams do come true. @mensik_jakub_ will face @DjokerNole in the finals on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/WPUcdXEM4Y
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 29, 2025
Mensik fired 25 aces and accumulated a total of 40 winners – including 10 from the forehand side – to beat Fritz, who countered with 39 winners – including 14 aces – and made 35 unforced errors. Mensik failed to break Fritz in two tries and was broken once by his American opponent. Mensik outpointed Fritz 110-105.
JAKUB’S MIC DROP MOMENT
It’s pure elation for 19-year-old @mensik_jakub_ as he defeats No. 3 seed Fritz to reach the biggest final of his career! @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/O0xQlKyBxr
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 29, 2025
During his on-court interview with ATP Media afterward, Mensik said that a chance meeting with Lionel Messi earlier in the day was the key to beating Fritz Friday evening.
“Yeah, exactly. I shook his hand. I was kind of chilling with him a bit so I didn’t wash my hand before stepping on court,” Mensik said. “That was the key for today.”
Mensik signed the camera lens for Messi, writing: “Thx Leo ❤️”
Around Hard Rock Stadium
Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia are one win away from capturing the Sunshine Double after hoisting the trophy at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells earlier this month, their second ATP Masters 1000 title together as a team. On Thursday, the co-World No. 1s and top seeds extended their winning streak to nine after rallying for a 2-6, 7-6 (4), 10-5 win over Nikola Mektic of Croatia and Michael Venus of New Zealand to advance to the Miami Open final.
On Saturday, Arevalo and Pavic (17-5 this season) will face No. 6 seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool of Great Britain. The British team advanced after defeating No. 2 seeds Harri Heliovaara of Finland and Henry Patten of Great Britain, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) and will be vying for their first ATP Masters 1000 trophy.
Saturday’s Miami Open order of play
By the numbers
• By advancing to the 2025 Miami Open final, Novak Djokovic has tied his longtime rival Roger Federer for most consecutive seasons appearing in a tour-level final with 20.
• Since 2000, there have been six different American men who have made the Miami Open a total of nine times. They include: Andre Agassi 3 (2001-03, 8 in his career), John Isner 2 (2018-19), Andy Roddick 2 (2004, 2010), Jan-Michael Gambill 1 (2001), and Pete Sampras 1 (2000, 4 in his career).
“Quotable …”
“It feels incredible. For me it was a dream to play against him in Shanghai. For now it’s a bit different. I am a better player now and I’m going to enjoy and it’s going to be really exciting. Let’s see what’s going to happen Sunday.”
– Jakub Mensik of Czechia, during his on-court interview Friday evening after upsetting World No. 4 and third seed Taylor Fritz, to advance to Sunday’s final against his idol, World No. 5 and fourth seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia.
