MIAMI (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – A surprise final in the “Miami Open,” the second Masters 1000 of the season, staged on the hard courts of Hard Rock Stadium with a prize pool of $11,255,535. On Friday evening, Novak Djokovic had secured the first pass to the final act: the Serbian champion, seeded No. 4, defeated Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, the 14th seeded force, in the semifinals with a score of 6-2 6-3.
And challenging Nole will be Jakub Mensik: the 19-year-old Czech, world number 54, eliminated Taylor Fritz, the third strength of the scoreboard and Atp number 4, in the semifinals 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(4) after two hours and 26 minutes of play. A success built on his serve (25 aces) and solidity in the exchanges, with Mensik becoming the third youngest finalist in the tournament’s history at 19 years and six months, behind only Nadal and Alcaraz who went on to play for the title at 18 years and 9 months.
Now the challenge with idol Novak Djokovic, faced on only one occasion so far, last year in Shanghai when the Serb won in three sets after losing the first on tie-break. “It’s incredible, for me it had already been a dream to face him in China. Now it will be a little different, I am a better player, I will enjoy it and let’s see what happens,” says the young Czech, in his second career final on the circuit after losing in Doha last season to Khachanov.
But Djokovic, who in the other semifinal beat Dimitrov decisively under the eyes of Lionel Messi, does not want to miss the chance to win his tournament number 100, joining the narrow elite of those who have crossed the triple-digit mark (Jimmy Connors with 109 and Roger Federer with 103). But that’s not all: for the 37-year-old Serb, who hasn’t celebrated since last summer’s Olympic gold medal in Paris, also a chance to establish himself for the seventh time in Miami, breaking away from André Agassi, who currently shares the record with him with six wins.
– IPA Agency photo –
(ITALPRESS).
