By Alberto Amalfi | Thursday, April 2, 2015
Novak Djokovic spoiled David Ferrer's 33rd birthday with a 7-5, 7-5 victory setting up a Miami semifinal with big-serving John Isner.
Photo credit: @MiamiOpen
It was David Ferrer's 33rd birthday, but Novak Djokovic was in no mood for party favors.
The world No. 1 rallied from a 1-4 deficit, fighting off Ferrer, 7-5, 7-5, to set up a Miami Open semifinal showdown with John Isner.
More: Isner Puts Big Hurt on Nishikori to Reach Miami Semifinals
The 22nd-seeded American cracked 13 aces defeating No. 4 seed Kei Nishikori, 6-4, 6-3, in today's first quarterfinal.
Djokovic knows break points will be at a premium against the towering Isner.
"It's going to be quite different match from tonight's match," Djokovic said of facing Isner. "John is probably the best server we have in the game currently. At 6'10" he can hit any angle he wants with that serve."
Both Djokovic and Ferrer carried identical 22-2 records onto the court and engaged in some crackling exchanges.
The feisty Ferrer spent the early stages hugging the baseline, dancing around his backhand and firing his forehand with precision.
"I had to earn my points," Djokovic said. "I had to fight for everything that I got tonight on the court because he wasn't going to give it to me. I knew that coming into the court.I knew that he's a great competitor, that he grinds a lot, runs, and makes you play always an extra shot. That's why he's been a Top 10 player for so many years and he's tough to beat."
Driven to snap a seven-match slide against the top seed, Ferrer got a birthday gift when Djokovic double faulted to donate the break and a 2-0 lead.
The sixth-seeded Spaniard extended the lead to 4-1. Djokovic held for 2-4 then began to find his range, driving the ball deeper and changing direction with more authority.
The four-time tournament champion broke back for 3-4. In 12th game, Djokovic lifted his level and controlled the center of the court. A snazzy full stretch forehand drop volley winner sealed the set for Djokovic.
It's a demanding match-up for Ferrer because Djokovic, whose two-handed backhand is one of the best in the game, has a decided advantage in backhand exchanges. That put pressure on Ferrer to take a bit more risk on his favored forehand side.
"My performance was good, playing aggressive with my forehand," Ferrer said. "But I think it's difficult to beat Nole when I am playing with him in the night because the ball is bigger when we are ending the set. And he has more power than me. Anyway, for [me to] beat Nole, I know I have to play perfect in important moments, play aggressive. And maybe tonight, the first set in important moments I didn't play aggressive with my forehand."
A stubborn Ferrer dug in and denied a match point on Djokovic's serve at 5-4, breaking back to level for 5-5. But Djokovic immediately retaliated to take control again.
In the second set, Djokovic won 11 of 23 points played on Ferrer's first serve and converted two of three break points, scoring his eighth consecutive win over Ferrer.
The semifinal pits one of the game's most explosive servers against a lethal returner. Djokovic has won six of eight prior meetings with Isner, including a tight 6-4, 7-6 (5) duel in Indian Wells last month that featured only one service break.
"Coming into tomorrow's match I think he's more confident because he won against Top 10 players back-to-back," Djokovic said. "I'm sure that's going to give him more advantage mentally as he comes in. He's going to try to be aggressive. He's going to try to take his chances. And I know he's going to do that. He's going to come out on court having not much to lose but a lot to gain.
"That's how he's goint to play. He's going to try to gamble, hit some winners, and hope they will come in. That's what makes him very dangerous."