Novak Djokovic recorded a straight units win in his first look on the Miami Open offered by Itau since 2019.
The fourth-seeded Serbian star earned a convincing 6-0, 7-6 (1) victory in opposition to Rinky Hijikata and superior to the third spherical in Florida in a single hour and 20 minutes.
“I used to be enjoying rather well, at a really excessive degree from the start,” mentioned Djokovic, who improved to 45-7 in Miami. “I knew precisely what I needed to do tactically. I performed him within the first match of the season in Brisbane. So I feel it was good to do some homework, take a look at these movies. I do know that the stats and the metrics haven’t been that nice for me publish Australia. It took me a little bit bit extra time after an damage to essentially discover that groove, discover that motion, that rhythm, that placing zone. I like the best way I used to be practising truly the final seven to 10 days and had some nice, nice classes on this court docket as nicely. I’m excited to compete to maintain on enjoying on the highest degree after I play this fashion. It’s all the time a pleasure whenever you come again to an incredible metropolis like Miami after six years of absence and I’ve had this many individuals within the first match, so I’m actually, actually grateful for his or her help.”
Novak made a blistering begin, dominating his rival from Australia within the opening set, taking it 6-0 in simply 27 minutes. With razor-sharp returns and flawless serving, Nole gave no probability to Hijikata to settle in.
Though Hijikata raised his degree within the second set and performed extra aggressively, he by no means managed to place Novak’s serve beneath actual strain. The Belgrade native had an opportunity to interrupt at 3-2 however couldn’t capitalise on it, because the Australian held agency to degree at 3-3. As soon as the set reached a tiebreak, Djokovic took full management, delivering a scientific 7-1 end to seal the victory.
Stats: aces (2-1), double faults (0-1), winners (21-18), unforced errors (12-22), whole factors gained (68-44).
Subsequent up for the six-time Miami titlist is fortunate loser Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG), who shocked thirty second seed Alex Michelsen (USA) in three units.
Picture: Peter Staples/ATP Tour
