Djokovic turned the match on its head in a 22-minute final set in which he could do no wrong. PHOTO: AFP
World number one Djokovic won 24 of the last 27 points to reach a quarter-final against Spanish sixth seed David Ferrer, a 7-6 (7/5), 6-0 winner over Frenchman Gilles Simon at the ATP and WTA hardcourt tournament.
Ukraine challenger Dolgopolov was unable to stretch his lead to a double break in the second set, with Djokovic saving two break points in the fourth game.
“I was really frustrated,” said Djokovic. “I was trying to calm myself down, because there was a big fire on the inside. You could see a little bit of that in the first set.
“Just try to get to the state of mind where I have a serene, controlled mind and emotions and where I’m able to just be in the present moment. That’s where I was focusing on.”
The Serbian top seed turned the match on its head in a 22-minute final set in which he could do no wrong, sustaining his chance for a US double after his Indian Wells final victory over Roger Federer.
Dolgopolov began breaking down in the third set after getting blisters on both feet taped. Near the end he was clasping at his thighs with cramps as he went down to defeat.
“He [Dolgopolov] was playing well,” said Djokovic. “He has a very unorthodox game, mixes up the pace, and can easily get you out of the rhythm.”
Murray’s significant 500th career victory
Britain’s Andy Murray won his 500th career victory, defeating South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
The third-seeded Scotsman, who holds two Grand Slam titles, needed his best effort against his 17th-ranked rival.
Murray, who has won four of five matches against Anderson, improved his career match record to 500 triumphs and 155 defeats with 31 titles, including the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon crowns.
“I hope I’ve still got a lot more wins in me,” said Murray. “To get to 500 is good. It’s not an easy thing to do at my age. It’s nice. Hopefully I can keep going.”
Murray is the first British man, the ninth active player and the 46th man in the post-1968 Open Era to achieve the 500-win plateau.
Meanwhile, Japan’s fourth seed Kei Nishikori beat Belgian David Goffin 6-1, 6-2 with Nishikori set to move to a career-best fourth in the world, sending Rafael Nadal to fifth.
“I feel a lot of confidence. It’s really going well these three matches,” said Nishikori. “It’s tough to compare, but maybe I have been playing a little better than last year.”
On the women’s side, Spanish 12th seed Carla Suarez Navarro eliminated three-time Miami winner Venus Williams 0-6, 6-1, 7-5.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 2nd, 2015.
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