Djokovic Targets French Open After Sixth Miami Title

Novak Djokovic beat Kei Nishikori in straight sets to win the Miami Open for a record-equalling sixth time.

The world number one matched Andre Agassi’s Miami tally with a 6-3, 6-3 triumph in one hour and 26 minutes.

Djokovic, 28, also moves ahead of Rafael Nadal with a record 28 Masters tournament wins in his career.

“It’s quite amazing,” said the Serb. “I’m very thrilled about it and hopefully I can make many more records.”

He also becomes the first man to win the Indian Wells-Miami double three years in a row, and surpasses Roger Federer as the ATP’s leading prize money winner on $98.2m (£69m).

‘It’s tough to find his weakness’

Japan’s Nishikori broke serve in the opening game but was broken straight back, and after a scrappy start to the match Djokovic took charge from 4-3.

He won four games in a row to move a break up in the second set and broke for a fifth time to win the match.

“I thought he started very well, breaking my serve in the first game and coming up with some aggressive play,” said Djokovic.

“I needed to answer right back, which I did in the following game – that helped me mentally.”

Nishikori, 26, said: “It’s tough to find his weakness, honestly. The biggest thing is he has great defence and it’s tough to open up the space.

“I had a couple of strategies before the match, but I don’t think I did them well enough to beat him today.”French Open the next target

Djokovic has only one loss to his name in 29 matches this year – and that was a retirement with an eye infection in Dubai.

With 11 Grand Slam titles, the Serb is already among the very best ever to have played the game – and catching Federer’s record tally of 17 majors is in his thoughts.

“Of course it is in the back of my mind somewhere but I don’t have that as a main motivation, because it can present some kind of distraction that I don’t need,” he said.

The next few months could go a long way to making his case as he gets the chance to land the two biggest titles to have eluded him – the French Open and Olympic gold.

“I don’t feel too exhausted,” he said. “I don’t think I will have any difficulty to make the transition to the clay courts quickly. Let’s see what happens.

“Clay courts are the most physically demanding surface, so also looking at the big picture, the French Open is the biggest goal that I have on the clay courts. I’ll try to adjust to that tournament as well.”

Credit: BBC

Djokovic Targets French Open After Sixth Miami Title

Victoria Azarenka Wins Miami Open Title

Victoria Azarenka secured back-to-back WTA titles with a straight-set victory over Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Miami Open final.

The Belarusian won 6-3, 6-2 in 77 minutes to add a third Miami title to her victories in 2009 and 2011.

The 26-year-old, who won in Indian Wells two week ago, will return to the world’s top five in the latest women’s rankings.

Russian Kuznetsova, 30, was bidding for her second title of the year after her victory in Sydney in January.

Azarenka becomes just the third woman to achieve the Indian Wells-Miami double after Steffi Graf (1994, 1996) and Kim Clijsters (2005).

“I’ve been reminded of this since the quarter-finals on social media – ‘She’s going for the Sunshine Double,"” Azarenka said.

“I’ve done really well not to get distracted by the future and concentrate on the present.”

Form returns with fitness for Azarenka

Azarenka, a former world number one and twice winner of the Australian Open, has rediscovered her best form this season after failing to win a WTA title as injuries hampered her in 2014 and 2015.

She began the year with victory in Brisbane in January and last month overcame Serena Williams to win at Indian Wells.

“Being fit and being prepared helps a lot,” she said. “I definitely have a different approach and perspective from a couple of years ago.

“I worked a lot on myself outside the court to understand how to be present and make better priorities. That helps me to be in a relaxed way. I know I’m prepared and I don’t focus on the result.”

Keen to prove people wrong on clay

With just one defeat this year heading to the clay-court season, Azarenka, who has now won 20 career WTA titles, is hopeful that she can keep up her form on what is perceived to be her weakest surface.

“I’m definitely very motivated for the clay season,” she said. “I’ve always been a favourite of proving people wrong. That’s what motivates me a lot.

“When people say it’s not my favourite surface, I’m going to work really hard to make sure it’s my favourite surface.”

And with world number one Williams yet to win a title in 2016, the Belarusian does not rule out challenging her at the top of the rankings later in the year.

“We’ll see what happens,” said added. “Serena is one of the players who makes me push myself to the limit.

“She’s the toughest competitor there is and for me it’s a great challenge to have her, because it will always push me to improve.”

Credit: BBC

Victoria Azarenka Wins Miami Open Title

Djokovic To Play Nishikori In Miami Masters Final

Novak Djokovic will play Kei Nishikori in Sunday’s Miami Open final after both went through in straight sets.

Serbia’s Djokovic, the five-time champion and world number one, beat Belgian David Goffin 7-6, (7-5), 6-4 on a hot afternoon.

Japanese sixth seed Nishikori beat Australian Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 7-5 in the evening session.

“It’s going to be tough,” said Nishikori, who has won two of eight matches against Djokovic.

“We just played in Australia and I lost in straight sets, so I need to do something better.”

Djokovic, 28, will try to match Andre Agassi’s record haul of six Miami titles, and become the first man to win the Indian Wells-Miami double three years in a row.

Djokovic bent down and kissed the court after finally seeing off 15th seed Goffin in a gruelling two hours and five minutes.

“It was evident that we both struggled with conditions,” said the Serb.

“Physically, it was a great battle. I think we were both trying to catch some breath after some points. It was windy, it was warm, it was humid.”

The top seed came back from a break down in the first set, before Goffin missed a golden opportunity with the open court gaping at 4-4 in the tie-break.

“I was on the back foot in that point, he was dictating,” said Djokovic. “He came to the net and I anticipated where he might smash the ball, he framed it a little bit.

“I had to defend well, which I think I did at the end of the tie-break.”

Nishikori too sharp for Kyrgios

Kyrgios had shown off his firepower in beating Milos Raonic on Friday, but he could not handle Nishikori’s pinpoint accuracy from the baseline.

The Australian dropped serve with a double fault in game three, and did the same on set point six games later.

Nishikori looked to be faltering when he failed to hold for 3-0 in the second set, but the Japanese player avoided the need for a tie-break with a lunging volley on his second match point.

“It was tough. When he plays me he plays so aggressive, doesn’t let me dictate points,” said Kyrgios.

“I felt rushed out there, I was really looking for answers. I’ve been struggling on my serve all week, so to come this far without having my best weapon is a pretty good effort.”

Nishikori, 26, is through to his first Miami final and second at the Masters 1000 level.

Credit: BBC

Djokovic To Play Nishikori In Miami Masters Final

Nick Kyrgios Into Miami Open Semi-Finals

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios beat Canadian Milos Raonic at the Miami Open to reach his first Masters semi-final and break into the world’s top 20.

Kyrgios beat the 12th seed 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) to set up a semi-final against Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

The result means Kyrgios, who turns 21 on 27 April, will become the youngest man in the top 20 for seven years.

In the women’s draw, Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova and Belarusian Victoria Azarenka won their semi-finals.

Kyrgios learning after ‘rollercoaster’

Raonic had not dropped serve all week in Miami, but Kyrgios broke the Canadian in the first game – the only break of the contest.

“That definitely set the tone,” said Kyrgios. “I’ve really learned how to return this year and I’m moving really well, so I’m giving myself more opportunities.”

Kyrgios fended off five break points and restricted Raonic to four aces over the course of one hour and 44 minutes.

Having won his first ATP title in Marseille last month, the Australian has now broken new ground at the elite Masters level.

“I’m feel as if I’m a lot stronger, a lot fitter and I’ve just got more experience,” he said. “The last couple of years on tour have been a bit of a rollercoaster, but I’ve learned a lot.”

Asked about the new ranking, he said: “It’s pretty cool, but there are 19 guys in front of me.”

Nishikori saved five match points to win a dramatic quarter-final against Frenchman Gael Monfils 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).

Kuznetsova back in final after a decadeFormer US and French Open champion Kuznetsova reached the Miami Open final for the first time since she won in 2006 with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Swiss Timea Bacsinszky.

The 30-year-old, ranked 19th, beat Serena Williams in the fourth round and will return to the top 10 for the first time in six years if she takes the title.

“I don’t think if I get to top 10 or not,” she said.

“When I go and I see the rankings I am confident I can beat these players and players from the top 10.”

The in-form Azarenka avenged her only defeat of the season against Angelique Kerber at the Australian Open as she beat the German 6-2, 7-5.

Azarenka, 26, is now one win away from emulating Steffi Graf and Kim Clijsters by winning back-to-back Indian Wells and Miami titles.

“I have a job to do on Saturday, regardless if it’s going to make history,” said Azarenka. “I’m ready, I’m prepared and I’m going out there hungry.”

Credit: BBC

Nick Kyrgios Into Miami Open Semi-Finals

Novak Djokovic Into Last Four Of Miami Open

World number one Novak Djokovic extended his winning run over Tomas Berdych to 10 matches with a straight-sets win at the Miami Open.

The top seed won their quarter-final 6-3, 6-3 and will next face Belgian David Goffin.

Djokovic had treatment on his back in the second set, but asked about the issue he told BBC Sport: “No concerns, not at all.”

The 28-year-old is trying to win his sixth Miami title and third in a row.

It is three years since Berdych earned one of only two wins over Djokovic in 24 meetings – and again it was the Serb who dominated.

In blustery conditions, Djokovic broke twice in the first set and he took control of the second after Berdych followed a woeful smash with a double fault.

The only alarm came when he called the trainer, but Djokovic resumed in the same dominant form and sealed victory with another service break.

“I was trying to find the rhythm on the serve,” he said. “Evidently we both struggled with that.

“The swirly conditions on the court were quite tough. Once you toss the ball you can’t predict where it’s going to end up.

“That’s why I had a little bit of a spasm in the back but Paul from the ATP did a great job.”

Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka remain on course for the Indian Wells-Miami double, after both won in California two weeks ago.

Two-time Miami champion Azarenka, who reached the semi-finals with a 6-4 6-2 win over Britain’s Johanna Konta, will play German second seed Angelique Kerber on Thursday.

“I still feel that I’m far from my best and that’s what’s really exciting for me, to be motivated, to keep improving,” said Azarenka.

Kerber impressed in a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of American Madison Keys, setting up a rematch with Azarenka after she beat the Belarusian on her way to winning the Australian Open in January.

“She had a great start of the year, of course,” said Kerber. “She is on fire, I think, right now.”

Credit: BBC

Novak Djokovic Into Last Four Of Miami Open

Roger Federer To Return From Surgery In Miami

Roger Federer will return to action following knee surgery earlier than expected at the Miami Open next week.

The 34-year-old Swiss, ranked third in the world, last played in January’s Australian Open semi-final defeat by Novak Djokovic.

Federer suffered a torn knee cartilage the following day and underwent surgery in February.

He had been expected to return on clay in Monte Carlo next month but the Swiss will now make his comeback in Miami.

Federer won the Key Biscayne title in 2005 and 2006, and last played there in 2014 when he reached the quarter-finals.

Credit: BBC

Roger Federer To Return From Surgery In Miami