The Miami Masters: Djokovic Rules Once More
Novak Djokovic won the Miami open for a record sixth time on the 3th of April and he seems impossible to beat. As well as making history in Miami the Serbian won his 28th Masters title surpassing the record he jointly held with Rafael Nadal. Winning the title in straight sets Djokovic was able to match the six victories in Miami set by Andre Aggasi.
Djokovic Still The King
Djokovic had a storming run to the final beating David Goffi and Tomas Berdych in the quarter and semi-finals, before dispatching Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-3. The world No.1 looks unstoppable at the moment, rarely making a fault across the whole of the tournament. It was Djokovic’s 40th Masters final and now has a winning percentage of 62%.
Even when Djokovic doesn’t play well he still wins. His ability to grind out results is second to none and his opponents need to hit three or four winners to get themselves a point. He didn’t play his top tennis whilst in Miami but still didn’t drop a set across the whole tournament.
At 28 Novak must be thinking that he will reach Federer’s record of 17 grand slam titles and even be able to surpass it. With 29 wins and one loss this year, which was due to an eye infection, he looks the hot favourite for the French Open .
Nishikori Can Still Claim Top Prize
Although the world No.6 was dismantled by Djokovic, there is no doubting his talent. The Japanese star is on the edge of glory and is surely the closest threat to the big four of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Rodger Federer and Andy Murray. With Federer reaching his twilight years and Nadal seemingly off the boil with injury and form, there could possibly be a space within the tennis elite, up for grabs and Nishikori could be one to fill it.
Nishikori did start well and got off to the best possible start in the final, breaking Djokovic in the first game. But the Serb quickly gained control of things and with the opening set at 4-3, he went on to win the next four games. Nishikori has beaten Djokovic in the past and has proved that up against the best he can perform, however, he must work on the physical aspects of his game, if he is to really challenge the monopoly at the top of the tennis game.
‘It’s tough to find his weakness, honestly. The biggest thing is he has great defence and it’s tough to open up the space’. Said Nishikori .
The Youngsters Are Coming Through
Miami is one of the biggest Masters on the tour. Arguably Miami is the modern home of tennis, several of the top players make Florida a base for practice. The weather allows for yearlong training, along with the humid conditions it makes players more adaptable for different climates. The Ricci Maci academy seems to be a conveyor belt of talent, previously producing talent like Sharapova and the Williams sisters.
Nick Kyrgios became the only player under the age of 21 to enter into the top 20 rankings, after his performances in Miami. He perhaps summed up what Miami is about; he is finally starting to produce some good performances. The Australian is never far from controversy and even got into an argument with an umpire in Miami , after hitting a ball into the crowd. However, he did overtake fellow countryman Bernard Tomic as the top Australian on the tour after reaching the semis.
With the Masters tournaments being so well respected on the tour and offering 1000 ranking points. Djokovic’s achievement is highlighted even more and his dominance is surely only going to continue.
