Novak Djokovic Reaches Miami Final with Lionel Messi Watching/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Novak Djokovic advanced to the Miami Open final after defeating Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3, with soccer legend Lionel Messi watching from the stands. Djokovic will face rising 19-year-old Jakub Mensik, who upset Taylor Fritz in a dramatic three-set tiebreaker.
Miami Open Final Set Quick Looks
- Novak Djokovic defeats Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 in semifinals
- Lionel Messi watches from the stands and visits Djokovic post-match
- Djokovic to face 19-year-old Jakub Mensik in the final
- Mensik stuns Taylor Fritz in third-set tiebreaker thriller
- Djokovic aims for his seventh Miami Open title
- Match disrupted briefly by a heckling fan
- Djokovic hits 87% first serves, commits only five unforced errors
- Mensik, ranked 54th, reaches his first ATP 1000 final
- Djokovic looks to claim 100th career title on Sunday
- Mensik credits Djokovic for inspiring his tennis journey
Novak Djokovic Reaches Miami Final with Lionel Messi Watching
Deep Look
Novak Djokovic Advances to Miami Open Final, Will Face Teen Challenger Jakub Mensik
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Novak Djokovic booked his place in the Miami Open final Friday with a commanding 6-2, 6-3 win over 14th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov — all under the watchful eye of soccer legend Lionel Messi.
The fourth-seeded Djokovic was clinical in the semifinal match at Hard Rock Stadium, showing flashes of his vintage form as he moves one win away from a record-extending seventh Miami title and his 100th career championship.
His opponent in Sunday’s final will be a fresh face: 19-year-old Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic, who earned a breakthrough victory over No. 3 seed Taylor Fritz in a tense 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4) battle that stretched over two hours and 25 minutes.
A Star-Studded Night in Miami
As Djokovic took the court, he was cheered on by Lionel Messi, star forward for MLS club Inter Miami, who watched the match with his wife and children. After the victory, Djokovic spoke of the honor of having the global icon in attendance.
“King Leo was here,” Djokovic said. “It’s a huge honor. His impact on sports over the last 20 years has been incredible. Having him and his family come support me was truly special — and a little nerve-wracking.”
Messi even visited Djokovic in the locker room prior to the match, where the two exchanged gifts.
Djokovic Back in Form
Despite a rocky start to the season — including an early exit at Indian Wells and a withdrawal from the Australian Open — Djokovic looked sharp in Miami. After being broken in the first game, he quickly found rhythm, dominating the rest of the match.
Djokovic landed 87% of his first serves and made just five unforced errors in 70 minutes. His serve, often overlooked, proved a powerful weapon on a breezy day in South Florida.
“Now I know how it feels to be Isner or Opelka,” Djokovic joked, referencing tennis’s towering servers. “Maybe my serve has been underrated.”
Djokovic improved to 13-1 all-time against Dimitrov. The Bulgarian had his own drama earlier in the tournament, needing medical assistance and a wheelchair after his quarterfinal win due to dizziness and exhaustion.
Friday’s match briefly paused when Dimitrov pointed out a heckling fan. Security removed the individual after intervention from the chair umpire.
Mensik’s Moment
In the earlier semifinal, Jakub Mensik pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest surprises by toppling Fritz in a pair of tiebreak sets. Ranked 54th, Mensik is now the youngest unseeded finalist in Miami Open history.
Despite not breaking Fritz’s serve all match, Mensik held his nerve in the final tiebreaker, winning three straight points after a 4-4 deadlock. A backhand winner, a Fritz error off a 20-shot rally, and a netted forehand sealed the victory.
“It feels incredible, unbelievable,” Mensik said. “It was a dream to play against Novak in Shanghai. I’m a better player now than I was then.”
Before the match, Mensik met Lionel Messi and shook his hand — a moment he joked about afterward: “I didn’t wash my hands before stepping on court.”
The Czech teenager lost to Djokovic last October at the Shanghai Masters but now has a shot at redemption — and at becoming one of the youngest ATP Masters 1000 champions in history.
What’s at Stake
Djokovic, already the all-time leader in Grand Slam wins (24), will be playing for his 100th career ATP title. He’s also seeking a seventh Miami Open crown, which would break his tie with Andre Agassi for most men’s titles in tournament history.
For Mensik, Sunday marks the first ATP 1000 final of his career — and the biggest opportunity yet in what looks like a bright future.
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