Novak Djokovic is back on track, tying Rafael Nadal’s record for the most career wins at ATP Masters 1000 events with a commanding victory in Miami. The Serbian legend defeated Australia’s Rinky Hijikata 6-0, 7-6 (1) in his opening match, earning his 410th Masters 1000 win.
The six-time Miami Open champion showed no signs of his recent slump. After withdrawing from the Australian Open and suffering losses in Doha and Indian Wells, Djokovic returned with determination. He breezed through the first set in just 27 minutes, delivering a flawless display of powerful serves and precise backhands.
Hijikata put up a fight in the second set, pushing Djokovic to a tiebreak. But the 24-time Grand Slam champion quickly shifted gears, winning six consecutive points to seal the match.
“I was playing at a very high level from the beginning,” Djokovic said. “I knew exactly what I wanted to do tactically. After some time off, I worked hard on my game, and it felt great to see the results today.”
Djokovic, who already holds the record for most Masters 1000 titles (40), finals (59), and semifinals (78), now has his eyes on taking sole ownership of the match-win record. Up next, he faces Argentinian lucky loser Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the third round.
With momentum on his side, Djokovic’s Miami campaign could mark yet another historic milestone in his illustrious career. Stay tuned to see if he can surpass Nadal and cement his Masters 1000 legacy.
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