Miami Open: Djoka refuses to be held back

Battles spasms to set up semi-final date against David Goffin

MIAMI: Defending champion Novak Djokovic withstood back spasms throughout the second set to defeat Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-3 and reach the ATP and WTA Miami Open semi-finals.

Djokovic, trying to match Andre Agassi’s record of six Miami titles with his third in a row, will play Belgian 15th seed David Goffin today for a berth in Sunday’s final.

The 28-year-old Serbian won his 14th consecutive match at the hardcourt event and his 28th out of 29, but needed a gritty performance after back pain began early in the second set, prompting him to have massage therapy before serving in the sixth game.



“Due to windy conditions on the court, it was hard to find a good rhythm to serve,” said Djokovic. “I had a little bit of a spasm in the back but [the trainer] did a great job and I was able to finish the match.”

Asked if he had any worries the spasms might become a long-term issue, Djokovic said: “No concerns. None at all.”

Berdych lost his 10th consecutive match to Djokovic, whose domination of their career rivalry reached 23-2. Berdych’s last victory over Djokovic was in a 2013 Rome quarter-final.

“If you have that many head-to-heads, it can help, but not substantially,” said Djokovic.



The Serbian was understandably happy with his performance. “Overall, this is the best match I’ve played in the tournament,” he said. “I feel better than I did last year at the same stage. I’m hoping I can keep the same trajectory.”

Djokovic won his 11th Grand Slam title two months ago at the Australian Open and also has crowns this year at Indian Wells and Doha.

Meanwhile, Goffin matched his semi-final run from Indian Wells by downing French 18th seed Gilles Simon 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. “Feeling great,” he said. “Confident for the rest of the week and the season.”

But he is 0-3 against Djokovic, losing in the 2013 French Open first round and at Cincinnati in 2013 and 2015. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st,  2016.

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