Goffin Stuns Alcaraz, Djokovic Makes Winning Miami Return

David Goffin of Belgium returns a shot against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during Day 4 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 21, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
David Goffin of Belgium returns a shot against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during Day 4 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 21, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
TT
20

Goffin Stuns Alcaraz, Djokovic Makes Winning Miami Return

David Goffin of Belgium returns a shot against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during Day 4 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 21, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
David Goffin of Belgium returns a shot against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during Day 4 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 21, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)

Carlos Alcaraz fell 5-7 6-4 6-3 to Belgian David Goffin in the Miami Open second round on Friday while Novak Djokovic tied Rafa Nadal for most ATP Masters 1000 match wins and Russia's Mirra Andreeva took another step toward a "Sunshine Double".

Goffin led the second seed by a break in each of the three sets and secured the victory on his second match point when a sliding Alcaraz was unable to retrieve a forehand the Belgian ripped into the corner.

Up next for Goffin is Brandon Nakashima, a 6-4 4-6 6-3 winner over Roberto Carballes Baena.

Six-times champion Djokovic made his long-awaited Miami Open return and defeated Australian Rinky Hijikata 6-0 7-6(1) to reach the third round.

It marked Djokovic's first Miami appearance since 2019 and the Serbian fourth seed's victory was his 410th ATP Masters 1000 match win, tying him with Rafa Nadal atop the all-time list.

"I wanted to make a statement to myself and to others, as well, that I'm still able to play on a high level," Djokovic told reporters.

"I lost (my last) two tournaments in my first rounds, so I really was eager to get the win in the first match in Miami Open."

It was all one-way traffic in the opening set as Djokovic showcased his superior shotmaking from the baseline along with a lethal service game to make a perfect start and needed just 27 minutes to wrap up the opening set.

But Hijikata refused to back down and his confidence grew during a tightly-contested second set where neither player could manage a break, but Djokovic took over in the tiebreak where he won the final six points.

Russian seventh seed Daniil Medvedev, the 2023 Miami champion who arrived this year fresh off a run to the Indian Wells semi-finals, crashed out at the first hurdle as he fell 6-2 6-3 to Spaniard Jaume Munar.

Former Miami finalists Casper Ruud and Grigor Dimitrov both advanced while Australian Kyrgios, who this week earned his first win since 2022, fell 7-6(3) 6-0 to Karen Khachanov.

On the women's side, Andreeva, making her Miami Open debut fresh off winning the first leg of the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells, was a 6-0 6-2 winner over Veronika Kudermetova and will next face Doha champion Amanda Anisimova.

Polish second seed Iga Swiatek beat Caroline Garcia for the second time in as many tournaments with a 6-2 7-5 victory that sets up a third-round clash with Belgian Elise Mertens, a 6-4 6-1 winner over American Peyton Stearns.

Australian Open champion Madison Keys advanced with a 6-3 6-3 win over Armenia's Elina Avanesyan to set up a third round clash with Filipino wildcard Alexandra Eala, who beat Latvian 25th seed Jelena Ostapenko 7-6(2) 7-5.

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu also advanced with a 7-6(6) 2-6 7-6(3) win over Emma Navarro. Among the other women advancing were Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa and Czech 15th seed Karolina Muchova.



With Messi Watching, Djokovic Advances to Miami Open Final to Face Upstart Mensik

Novak Djokovic of Serbia attends a press conference after winning the Men’s Singles Semifinals at the 2025 Miami Open tennis tournament, in Miami, Florida, USA, 28 March 2025. (EPA)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia attends a press conference after winning the Men’s Singles Semifinals at the 2025 Miami Open tennis tournament, in Miami, Florida, USA, 28 March 2025. (EPA)
TT
20

With Messi Watching, Djokovic Advances to Miami Open Final to Face Upstart Mensik

Novak Djokovic of Serbia attends a press conference after winning the Men’s Singles Semifinals at the 2025 Miami Open tennis tournament, in Miami, Florida, USA, 28 March 2025. (EPA)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia attends a press conference after winning the Men’s Singles Semifinals at the 2025 Miami Open tennis tournament, in Miami, Florida, USA, 28 March 2025. (EPA)

Novak Djokovic had some company for another Miami Open victory.

With Lionel Messi watching, Djokovic cruised into the Miami Open final by routing 14th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium.

The fourth-seeded Djokovic will try for a seventh Miami Open title on Sunday against unseeded 19-year-old upstart Jakub Mensik, who won a thriller decided by a third-set tiebreaker over No. 3 seed Taylor Fritz in Friday's other semifinal, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4).

The 37-year-old Djokovic, who won six times at the tournament’s previous venue at Key Biscayne, also is going for his 100th professional title.

He has been out of form this year, starting with an injury retirement at the Australian Open in January. Earlier this month, he lost his first match at Indian Wells to Botic van de Zandschulp.

In his on-court interview, Djokovic acknowledged the presence of Messi, who plays for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, calling him "King Leo."

Djokovic said Messi visited the locker room with his wife and children and they "exchanged gifts." Djokovic has seen Messi play live before, but this was the first time the soccer great watched him.

"Obviously, it’s a thrill to have his whole family," Djokovic said. "It’s a huge honor. He’s such a great athlete, not just a football player. His impact on the world of sports in the last 20 years has been immense.

"To have him watch me live brings me great joy and excitement and also a little pressure. It’s definitely different when he brings his family. I was touched by that."

The match was disrupted during the third game when a fan was removed by security. The chair umpire came down to the court and called for security as he walked toward the stands.

Dimitrov had jawed with the fan and came over to the sideline to point out the heckler to the umpire.

"It’s just heckling, it’s fine," Dimitrov said. "I’m a very calm guy overall. I don’t pick any fights but don’t trigger me."

Dimitrov eliminated Francisco Cerundulo in the quarters. He stayed on the court for 25 minutes after the victory, sitting in a wheelchair because of dizziness. He was helped off by tournament medical personnel and canceled his post-match news conference.

Dimitrov said he was given lots of water and ice but added: "I don’t have a recollection of exactly what happened. We’re putting our bodies through so much. It’s one of those matches where you have to carry me out of the court somehow."

Djokovic was broken by Dimitrov in the first game, but he quickly settled down and closed out the first set in 32 minutes.

The men’s leader with 24 Grand Slam titles made 87% of his first serves. He also committed only five unforced errors in the 70-minute match.

"Now I know how it feels to be (John) Isner and (Reilly) Opelka," Djokovic said of two serving behemoths. "Maybe my serve has been a bit underrated."

The Serbian improved to 13-1 against Dimitrov in his career. The Bulgarian pulled out the ultimate superlative.

"He wears confidence like a stain on your shirt," Dimitrov said. "It’s beautiful to see. Only a few athletes on Earth possess that quality."

Mensik hasn’t been to an ATP 1,000-point final and came in to the Miami Open ranked 54th.

He showed nerves of steel against Fritz at 4-4 in the deciding tiebreaker, winning the last three points.

Mensik, who didn’t post a service break all match, blasted a backhand winner down the line for 5-4. Fritz hit a forehand long off a 20-shot rally and punched a forehand in the net on double match point to end the two hour and 25-minute nightcard.

Mensik shook hands with Messi before the match. "I didn’t wash my hands before I stepped on the court," Mensik said.

Mensik credits Djokovic as the reason he picked up tennis. He lost to Djokovic in Shanghai Masters in a three-setter last October. Djokovic will have 18 years on his opponent.

"It feels incredible, unbelievable (to play him)," Mensik said. "It was a dream to play against him in Shanghai. I’m a better player now than I was in Shanghai."