With Messi watching at Miami Open, Djokovic reaches 100th final

Novak Djokovic enjoyed a second Miami Open victory in some company.

Lionel Messi watched from a suite as Djokovic defeated Grigor Dimitrov, the 14th-seeded player, 6-2, 6-3 on Friday at the Hard Rock Stadium, to reach the Miami Open final.

In his first competitive appearance since 2019, the fourth-seeded Djokovic is attempting to win his seventh Miami Open title. Djokovic, 37, is also aiming for his 100th professional title. He has previously won six times at Key Biscayne.

This year, he has been inconsistent, with his first injury at the Australian Open in January. Botic van de Zandschulp defeated him in his first game earlier this month at Indian Wells.

The Taylor Fritz-Jakub Mensik semifinal winner from Friday night will be Djokovic’s opponent.

Djokovic acknowledged Messi’s presence in his on-court interview with Inter Miami, a team that plays in Major League Soccer. He added, “It’s very special because I haven’t played in the world’s best city in six years.”

After deciding to miss his second match at Indian Wells and needing family time, Djokovic pulled out late last year.

A fan was removed by security during the third game that caused the men’s semifinal to be canceled. As he approached the stands, the chair umpire called for security and walked down to the court from his elevated chair.

Dimitrov yelled at the fan and walked over to the sideline to bring up the heckler.

Francisco Cerendulo was knocked out by Dimitrov in the quarters. After winning, he was dizzy and was taken to the back by tournament medical personnel for 25 minutes.

Dimitrov broke his first set in 32 minutes, but Djokovic quickly recovered and finished the second set.