Djokovic, Goffin, Nishikori, Kyrgios Set For Miami SFs

The semi-finals on Friday are headlined by World No. 1 and five-time Miami Open champion Novak Djokovic along with three players trying to capture their first career ATP Masters 1000 title: No. 6 Kei Nishikori, No. 15 David Goffin and No. 24 seed Nick Kyrgios. This is the first time since 2007 there are two double digit seeds in the Miami semi-finals.

In the first semi-final, Djokovic brings a 3-0 career head-to-head record against Goffin, who is the first Belgian man to reach the semi-finals in the tournament’s 32-year history. He’s appearing in his second straight ATP Masters 1000 semi-final (l. to Raonic in Indian Wells). The 25-year-old Belgian has only been broken twice in 39 service games while breaking opponents 15 times en route to SF.

Djokovic has won 14 straight matches in Miami (28 of the last 29 back to 2011) since a 4R loss to Tommy Haas in 2013. He comes in with a 26-1 match record on the season. Djokovic, who is trying to reach his seventh Miami final (5-1), is chasing Andre Agassi’s tournament record six titles. Agassi is also the last player to win three straight titles from 2001-03. Djokovic, co-leader (w/Nadal) with 27 career ATP Masters 1000 titles, has reached the final in his last 10 ATP Masters 1000 tournaments (DNP ’15 Madrid) going back to 2014 Paris-Bercy. During that stretch, he has compiled a 54-2 record.

In the evening match, Nishikori and Next Generation star Kyrgios meet for the second time. Nishikori won the previous meeting 16 64 64 in the 2R at ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai last October. Nishikori, who saved five match points in his QF win over Gael Monfils on Thursday, is appearing in the Miami SF for the second time in three years. He is trying to reach his second career ATP Masters 1000 final (’14 Madrid). Kyrgios, who has not dropped a set en route to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 SF, is the first Australian to reach the Miami SF since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002 (l. to Federer). He’s trying to become the first Aussie to reach the final in tournament history. The 20-year-old will crack the Top 20 in the Emirates ATP Rankings next Monday. He will become the youngest in the Top 20 since 20-year-old Marin Cilic on Sept. 21, 2009.

DOUBLE-DIGIT SEEDS IN SEMI-FINALS – There are two double digit seeds in the semi-finals for the first time since 2007 when No. 10 Djokovic defeated No. 12 Murray. Djokovic went on to win the title and he’s the last double digit seed champion in Miami. It’s the seventh straight year at least one double digit seed has advanced to the semi-finals here: