Outstanding Novak Djokovic survives tough test against Sebastian Korda, advances to Miami semifinals

Thursday, 27 March 2025 at 23:10

Novak Djokovic claimed a hard-fought victory over Sebastian Korda, 6-3, 7-6, to advance to the semifinals of the Miami Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion recovered from being 3-5 down in the second set and reached the semifinals in Miami Gardens for the first time since 2016, the year he secured his third consecutive title at the tournament.

However, Djokovic had not played in the tournament since 2019, skipping it in recent years. The Serbian remains on track for his 100th title (41 at the Masters 1000 level) and will face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov for a spot in the final.

Djokovic cruises through first set

At the start, the Serbian looked confident on his serve, easily taking control of his service games. Korda kept up with him in the first half of the set, but when pressure mounted, it was the experienced Djokovic who showed his authority.

When Djokovic was leading 4-3, with no breaks on either side, he capitalized on Korda’s doubts during rallies and broke to lead 5-3. The former world No. 1 was particularly effective with his forehand, putting Korda under pressure during the cross-court exchanges.

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Djokovic closed out the set with his serve, 6-3, hitting 78% of first serves and winning 94% of them. He was impressive, losing just three points on serve and breaking at the only opportunity he had.

Djokovic stays calm under pressure to force tie-break in second set

In the second set, Korda broke early, taking advantage of Djokovic’s brief moments of indecision. The American won 16 of the first 18 points and seized the lead. Djokovic found himself down 0-3, 0-30 on his serve, but after a remarkable rally, he marked a turning point in the set.

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Though Korda held his serve until 5-2, Djokovic remained focused, keeping himself in the match. The Serbian’s cross-court backhand pushed Korda wide, and Djokovic set up a couple of winners with his backhand down the line. He broke back, leveling the score at 5-5.

At 5-6, Djokovic recovered from 0-30 and pushed the set to a tiebreak, where he showed his dominance. With his concentration at its peak and his serving consistency throughout the match, he eventually closed the win 6-3, 7-6(4). Djokovic will now face Grigor Dimitrov in the semifinals, who defeated Francisco Cerundolo in a third-set tiebreak in the quarterfinals.

Match Statistics Korda vs. Djokovic

Korda	VS	Djokovic
	Service
7	Aces	10
0	Double Faults	0
66% (37/56)	1st Service Percentage	84% (48/57)
70% (26/37)	1st Service Points Won	83% (40/48)
68% (13/19)	2nd Service Points Won	60% (6/10)
0% (0/2)	Break Points Saved	0% (0/1)
80% (8/10)	Service Games	91% (10/11)
	Return
17% (8/48)	1st Return Points Won	30% (11/37)
40% (4/10)	2nd Return Points Won	32% (6/19)
-	Break Points Saved	-
	Other
1h 18m	Match Duration	1h 18m

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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