Djokovic outserves Isner
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Two hours before the Miami Open semifinal, Novak Djokovic practiced his returns in an empty stadium, the ball coming at him quickly because his hitting partner stood several feet inside the baseline to emulate big-serving John Isner.
The drill helped. Djokovic achieved a breakthrough service break against Isner and won Friday night, 7-6 (3), 6-2.
“He’s probably the best server we have in the game,” Djokovic said. “But I managed to get a lot of serves back. That was one of the keys in the match, making him play and getting into the rally and making him work extra.”
The No. 1-seeded Djokovic closed to within one win of his fifth Key Biscayne title. His opponent Sunday will be two-time champion Andy Murray, who defeated Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-4.
Murray’s big month is off to quite a start. He’s also getting married next week.
Djokovic became the first player in the tournament to break Isner, and managed another break two games later. He actually outserved the 6-foot-10 American, totaling 10 aces to nine for Isner, and never faced a break point.
A taut, one-hour opening set created plenty of drama for the capacity crowd. Isner held despite several long service games and erased the only break point he faced late in the set, but he won just two of five points on his serve in the pivotal tiebreaker.
Isner said Djokovic is probably the game’s best service returner.
“On top of that, he’s very confident — he has won so many matches,” Isner said. “I certainly needed to play better in order to beat him, and I didn’t do it. He was too good. He was just way better.”
Djokovic’s biggest hole while serving was a love-30 deficit late in the first set. He responded with consecutive aces and escaped.
Djokovic’s first break gave him a 2-1 edge in the second set, and that margin grew to 5-1. He finished with just eight unforced to 31 by Isner, who lost 70 percent of his second-serve points.
“I needed to step in and use those opportunities,” Djokovic said. “When I have his second serve, I’d better use it properly and try to be aggressive.”
Djokovic won the Key Biscayne title in 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2014. Serena Williams bids for her eighth Key Biscayne title Saturday against Carla Suarez Navarro.
Murray won the championship in 2009 and 2013, and was the runner-up in 2012. The Scotsman has a home in nearby Miami and practices on the Key Biscayne courts.
