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By Erik Gudris | Sunday, March 27, 2016


Top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic didn’t let an on-court spill stop him from once again coming up a winner at the Miami Open.

Watch: Troicki Jumps Over The Net During Point

Djokovic faced off Sunday in the third round against Portugal’s Joao Sousa. With the first set tied at 3-all, Djokovic showed off his incredible shotmaking skills and movement by using all sides of the court before winning the point.

Yet later, Djokovic slipped on a wet spot on the court. That resulted in Djokovic losing his serve and making it 4-all in the set. But Djokovic used that mishap instead to inspire him to raise his game.

Djokovic fired up several forehand winners to break Sousa back for 5-4. Djokovic went on to take the set and never looked back.

Djokovic only lost 11 points in the final eight games to eventually close out the 6-4, 6-1 win.

In his press conference, Djokovic said he was more concerned about beating his opponent than the actual fall on court.

“I slipped few times. Conditions here are quite different from Indian Wells. It's pretty humid. Players are sweating a lot, so you have some obviously spots, especially behind the baseline, where it's a little bit too wet,” Djkovic said. “That first set went down to a few points. Couple long games on 4-3 when I lost my serve and then I broke him back.

After that it was quite a good performance. Second set felt much more comfortable. Serving very well the entire day. It's not easy. Obviously everybody talks about conditions being different, but it's something that you have to accept. It's same for your opponent and you.”

Djokovic will next meet No. 14 seed Dominic Thiem in the fourth round. Thiem earlier beat Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka 6-2, 6-2.

Thiem, who has posted 22 match wins so far this season, is one of the hottest players on tour right now. Djokovic is looking forward to the challenge.

“He likes a little bit slower conditions where the ball bounces higher so he can put a lot of rotation on the ball. Especially his serve. He has tremendous kick. He's quick and has very powerful shots from backhand side. Good slice. Just likes to construct the points.So I'll try to take away his time. I haven't played him in a while. He has had, you know, definitely the best year and a half of his life. The results are showing that. He's one of the best players in the world in terms of results."

"I'm sure he's going to be very motivated to perform his best, to showcase all that he's got in his arsenal. I'll make sure I'm ready for it.”


(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

 

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