MIAMI GARDENS, United States, Mar 29 (V7N) – Novak Djokovic is one win away from his 100th career title after a dominant 6-2, 6-3 victory over Grigor Dimitrov in the Miami Open semi-finals. He will face Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, who upset Taylor Fritz, in Sunday’s final.  

"Novak Djokovic moved to within one win of his 100th career title on Friday, outclassing Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 to cruise into the final of the Miami Open, where he will play Czech teenager Jakub Mensik," a sports correspondent reported from the stadium.  

Djokovic, now 37 and the oldest man to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final, controlled the match against Dimitrov, finishing it in just 69 minutes.

"The Serb -- who at 37 is now the oldest man to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final -- will take on a 19-year-old in Sunday's final after the big-serving Mensik beat world number four Taylor Fritz 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4). The match between Djokovic and his 33-year-old opponent 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," a match analyst confirmed.  

Djokovic's serve was particularly effective, with 87% of his first serves landing in play, and he hit five aces.

"The serve was once again Djokovic's strong suit -- he made 87% of his first serves and hit five aces -- but his all-round game was impressive and he will head into Sunday's final confident of becoming only the third man after Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) to win 100 titles," a sports statistician stated.

"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 said after the match. "The serve was again the highlight of the match for me. I think it was 84% last game and I thought that would be difficult to beat that but today it was 87% so I don't know what to say? Hopefully I can continue in the same fashion because that definitely make my life easier."

Djokovic also expressed his excitement at playing in front of Lionel Messi.

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

In the other semi-final, 19-year-old Jakub Mensik defeated Taylor Fritz in a hard-fought match decided by two tie-breaks.  

"The match 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," a match recap detailed.  

Mensik's powerful serve, including 25 aces, and aggressive play kept Fritz under constant pressure.  

"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 Mensik. '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,'" a courtside reporter stated.  

Mensik has only faced Djokovic once before, losing to him in Shanghai in October.  

"Mensik has only faced Djokovic once in his career, losing to him Shanghai in October," a tennis history analyst confirmed.  

The stage is set for an exciting final between the experienced Djokovic and the rising star Mensik.

END/WSD/RH/