Korda Outlasts Rain, Monfils, To Reach Miami Open Quarterfinals

Sebastian Korda
Sebastian Korda (photo: Miami Open/Hard Rock Stadium)

MIAMI/WASHINGTON, March 26, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)

Two weeks after 38-year-old Frenchman Gaël Monfils defeated Sebastian Korda of the United States in the second round at Indian Wells, the two foes met again in the round of 16 at the Miami Open presented by Itau Tuesday afternoon – a day in which there were plenty of stops and starts due to a pesky rain storm that wreaked havoc on the day’s order of play.

At 38 years and six months, Monfils looked to become the oldest ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinalist in series history (since its beginning in 1990) and to reach his first quarterfinal at this level since 2023 at Toronto. However, Korda, 24, had other ideas. He started strong and waited out a three-hour, 50-minute rain delay to defeat Monfils, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, in two hours and 12 minutes inside Hard Rock Stadium.

The final nine minutes of the match – which covered the last three games – took place after the lengthy rain delay. Korda, who won 80 percent of his first-serve points, overcame 38 unforced errors to hit 18 winners and converted two of six break points against Monfils, who countered with 17 winners to 27 unforced errors. Korda, who dealt with a wrist problem that required treatment, was outpointed by Monfils 84-82.

“It’s pretty painful right now,” Korda said during his on-court interview with ATP Media. “We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.”

The victory enabled Korda (6-4 this season) to reach his second Miami quarterfinal after reaching the same stage back in 2021 in his tournament debut. He’s the fifth player born in the 2000s to reach four ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinals.

“I’ve been dealing with a lot of things,” Korda said. “Hopefully, I keep playing some good tennis and see where it takes me.”

Next, Korda will face No. 4 seed Novak Djokovic. The six-time Miami Open champion, who strung together nine straight games after falling behind an early break, 0-2, then receiving a time violation warning, defeated No. 15 seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy, 6-2, 6-2, in an hour and 23 minutes on the Stadium Court. It was Djokovic’s eighth career win in nine tries against the 23-year-old Italian.

Djokovic is through to his eighth Miami Open quarterfinal overall and first Miami quarterfinal since winning the 2016 title. It’s his 212th career ATP Tour quarterfinal overall. He’s the only former Miami champion remaining in the draw.

“He had a really good start of the match,” Djokovic said during his on-court interview with ATP Media. “The first couple of games I started a little bit slow. Then, I knew if I gave him time, he was going to make his shots. He loves running around his backhand, hitting forehands. He’s really talented and can play any shot in the game on any surface.

“It was tough, particularly in the first seven, eight games of the match. But I think breaking his serve to come back to 2-all and break right away at 3-2, it was a momentum shift and I tried to use that. … Overall, despite some ups and downs, it was a great match.”

The 37-year-old Serbian (10-4 in 2025), who has not dropped a set, finished with 18 winners – including 10 from his forehand side – to 17 unforced errors, won 14 of 15 net exchanges, and converted five of 12 break-point opportunities. He outpointed Musetti 62-40 to move to within three victories of winning his 100th career ATP Tour title – and among the many Djokovic fans in attendance at Hard Rock Stadium were Serena Williams and Juan Martin del Potro.

Djokovic, who is playing in Miami for the first time since 2019, earned his second Top-20 victory of the season after defeating World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open quarterfinals in January.

Dimitrov reaches Miami Open last eight for second straight year

Meanwhile, No. 14 seed Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria eased past No. 31 seed Brandon Nakashima of the United States, 6-4, 7-5, in an hour and 23 minutes on the Grandstand to advance to the quarterfinals. The World No. 15 didn’t face any break points – and hasn’t all tournament – while winning 83 percent of his first-serve points. He struck 28 winners – including 12 aces – and converted two of five break-point chances. Dimitrov outpointed Nakashima 58-53.

“It was a good match honestly,” Dimitrov told Tennis Channel during a sit-down interview after securing his eighth win of the season. “The conditions were tough today. The court was fairly fast, the wind was out and the humidity was really kicking in. The court helped me a lot. When I had to serve well, I really did. It was a really good win; everything was going my way. …

“I’m always trying to play my game,” Dimitrov added, noting that variety plays a key element in his success. “Every time I had the opportunity, I wanted to create something.”

After failing to reach the Miami Open quarterfinals in each of his first 12 appearances, Dimitrov has reached the last eight in back-to-back years in Miami after marching all the way to the final in 2024. He’s now reached 21 total ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinals, including at least one in each of 13 straight seasons.

Next, Dimitrov will face No. 23 seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, who upset fifth seed Casper Ruud of Norway, 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 26 minutes on the Grandstand, behind 21 winners and three break-point conversions, to reach his third Miami Open quarterfinal.

Cerundolo (16-8 this season) is the first Argentine to reach the last eight of the Sunshine Double in the same year since del Potro in 2018. It was his fifth career win in eight meetings against Ruud.

“I like the city. I like Miami. I always found it good since the first time I came here,” Cerundolo said in his on-court interview. “A lot of Argentinian fans and Latin Americans. I spend a lot of good quality time outside the court and that is probably something that inspires me to play well.” 

Around Hard Rock Stadium

• Due to the lengthy rain delay, the round of 16 match between top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany and No. 17 seed Arthur Fils of France, which was originally scheduled for the Stadium evening session, was cancelled and rescheduled as part of Wednesday’s order of play. The Zverev/Fils winner will face No. 54 Jakub Mensik of Czechia in the quarterfinal round. Mensik earned a walkover victory against fellow Czech and No. 20 seed Tomas Machac, who withdrew due to illness.

• World No. 11 Alex de Minaur sought to gain sole lead for most ATP Tour wins this season (18) versus No. 29 seed Matteo Berrettini of Italy. However, Berrettini fought past the 10th seed from Australia, 6-3, 7-6 (7), in two hours on Butch Buchholz Court after hitting 19 winners and converting three of seven break points. Now, the 28-year-old Italian is through to his fourth career ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal. ‘

• Next, Berrettini will play No. 3 seed Taylor Fritz of the United States, who held off 89th-ranked lucky loser Adam Walton of Australia, 6-3, 7-5, in an hour and 34 minutes on the Grandstand Tuesday evening. The American No. 1, who finished with 13 winners and won 87 percent of his first-serve points, is through to his second Miami Open quarterfinal and 13th ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal overall. He’s now 21-0 against players ranked outside the Top 80 since the start of the 2024 season.

Tuesday’s Miami Open results

Wednesday’s Miami Open order of play

By the numbers

Novak Djokovic reached his eighth Miami Open quarterfinal – and first since winning the 2016 title – with his straight-set win over Lorenzo Musetti Tuesday evening. Roger Federer is the all-time leader with 11 Miami Open quarterfinals, followed by Andre Agassi with 10 and Rafael Nadal and Pete Sampras with nine each.

“Quotable …”

“I think, ultimately, he is a big-time player. So, he’s going to go for many, many shots that might not be high percentage. But now he’s playing with a lot of confidence and making them. Earlier, he pulled off some great backhands, hit some backhands [down the line]. That forehand is so dangerous. 

“Obviously, I know he’s still young, he’s played a lot of matches in a row. I knew if I could make this match physical, I had higher chances of it going my way.”

– World No. 11 Alex de Minaur of Australia, during his on-court interview with ATP Media Monday evening, after defeating #NextGenATP star Joao Fonseca of Brazil, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3, to advance to the round of 16.

 

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