Novak Djokovic to face Jakub Mensik with 100th title within reach

MIAMI – Novak Djokovic has declared that he will “go all in” in pursuit of his 100th ATP career title.

On March 28, the Serb moved to within one win of his target, outclassing Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 to cruise into the Miami Open final to face Czech teen Jakub Mensik.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who now has a 13-1 record against his Bulgarian opponent, dominated the 69-minute contest.

Djokovic – who at 37 is now the oldest man to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final – will face a 19-year-old in the final on March 30 (March 31, Singapore time) after the big-serving Mensik beat world No. 4 Taylor Fritz 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4).

“After the Olympics (gold), which was the 99th title, every tournament I play in has been going for 100 but I haven’t be able to achieve that. Hopefully Sunday, I am going to go all in,” he said.

The match against the 33-year-old Dimitrov was the oldest semi-final in Masters 1000 history, with a combined age of 70, but it was the older of the pair who dominated.

Djokovic was broken on his first service game but that was the extent of his difficulties, as the six-time winner maintained his record of never losing in a Miami semi-final.

The serve was once again his strong suit – he made 87 per cent of his first serves and hit five aces – but his all-round game was impressive. He will head into the final confident of becoming only the third man after Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) to win 100 titles.

“It was very windy today, very difficult to control the ball, changing direction all the time but I had good serves and held my nerves,” Djokovic added.

“The serve was again the highlight of the match for me. I think it was 84 per cent last game and I thought that would be difficult to beat that, but today it was 87 per cent so I don’t know what to say?

“Hopefully I can continue in the same fashion because that definitely makes my life easier.”

Dimitrov has now lost 10 straight matches to the Serb and was philosophical in defeat.

“He’s just doing the basics extremely well, better than anyone,” the Bulgarian said.

“You just cannot let yourself take a step down or make an easy error.”

Football superstar Lionel Messi was in the stands to watch the game after training nearby with Inter Miami and Djokovic was delighted to see him.

“It was a huge honour to have King Leo in the stands. It was the first time I have played in front of him,” he said.

As expected, the contest between Mensik and Fritz was a baseline battle which was ultimately decided by two tie-breaks won by the Czech.

Fritz ended up in the unusual position of losing despite his serve not being broken – he faced just two break points in the whole game.

“It doesn’t really take the pain away too much. Between the two breakers, like, I have to win one of them. I have to play a little bit better,” said the American.

“I think when I’m playing well, when I’m winning matches... I pull through these situations. So to just kind of get out-toughed in two breakers, it sucks.

“I did my job. I didn’t get broken. I didn’t face a break point until the third set.”

Mensik blasted 25 aces and kept the pressure on Fritz throughout with his relentless power-hitting as he reached his first Masters 1000 final.

“I just I cannot describe how I feel right now, the feeling will come later. It was a fantastic atmosphere even though I was facing an American here,” said the teenager.

“The key was to stay focused. He serves the same as me, so it was just a game of serves. He didn’t give me the opportunity to break him, so the two tie-breaks decided it.”

Mensik has faced Djokovic only once in his career, losing to him in Shanghai last October.

Meanwhile, Russian-born world No. 12 Daria Kasatkina announced on March 29 she is switching to play under the Australian flag.

The 27-year-old, who has previously described the war in Ukraine as a “nightmare”, said on Instagram she was “delighted” to reveal Australia had approved her application for permanent residency. REUTERS, AFP