With Messi Watching, Djokovic Advances to Miami Open Final to Face Upstart Mensik
Novak Djokovic had some company for another Miami Open victory.
With Lionel Messi watching, Djokovic cruised into the Miami Open final by routing 14th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium.
The fourth-seeded Djokovic will try for a seventh Miami Open title on Sunday against unseeded 19-year-old upstart Jakub Mensik, who won a thriller decided by a third-set tiebreaker over No. 3 seed Taylor Fritz in Friday’s other semifinal, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4).
The 37-year-old Djokovic, who won six times at the tournament’s previous venue at Key Biscayne, also is going for his 100th professional title.
He has been out of form this year, starting with an injury retirement at the Australian Open in January. Earlier this month, he lost his first match at Indian Wells to Botic van de Zandschulp.
In his on-court interview, Djokovic acknowledged the presence of Messi, who plays for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, calling him “King Leo.”
Djokovic said Messi visited the locker room with his wife and children and they “exchanged gifts.” Djokovic has seen Messi play live before, but this was the first time the soccer great watched him.
