Fans at the Miami Open were left disappointed on Wednesday night after Novak Djokovic’s highly anticipated quarterfinal match against Sebastian Korda was postponed. With matches running well past schedule, the Serbian superstar will now face Korda on Thursday, in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown.
Why the Delay?
The chaos began when Jessica Pegula and Emma Raducanu went head-to-head in a gripping three-set battle. The match stretched past 11 p.m., forcing organizers to make a tough call. According to new ATP and WTA guidelines, matches aren’t supposed to start after 11 p.m. without approval. Despite the buzzing crowd eager to see Djokovic in action, the rules were upheld, and the match was rescheduled.
“This has been a long time in the making,” commented Paul Annacone on Tennis Channel Live. “The tours are finally putting player welfare first, and it’s good to see.”
Packed Schedule and Unforeseen Delays
Wednesday’s packed lineup was already ambitious. A last-minute addition of the fourth-round clash between Alexander Zverev and Arthur Fils, caused by earlier rain delays, only complicated things. Fils pulled off a stunning 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 upset over top seed Zverev, advancing to his second consecutive ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal.
Grigor Dimitrov then edged past Francisco Cerundolo in an exhausting three-setter, prevailing 6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (3). The physically demanding match took its toll on Dimitrov, who needed assistance off the court.
By the time Pegula clinched her win against Raducanu, the clock had already ticked past 11:30 p.m. Fans, who had been patiently awaiting Djokovic’s match, voiced their frustration when the postponement was announced. Organizers tried to soften the blow by offering $10 tickets for Thursday’s afternoon session.
What’s Next for Djokovic and Korda?
Djokovic is chasing his seventh Miami Open title and a landmark 100th tour-level crown. Meanwhile, Korda, at 24, is eyeing his third Masters 1000 semifinal appearance. The winner will face Dimitrov, adding even more intrigue to an already thrilling tournament.
Thursday’s lineup once again features five matches on Stadium Court, starting at 1 p.m. All eyes will be on Djokovic and Korda to see if the delay has any impact on their performance.
Stay tuned for what’s sure to be an action-packed day at the Miami Open!
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