Masters 1000 History At Stake In Miami Final

Top seed Novak Djokovic is poised to make Sunday a historic day at the Miami Open presented by Itau. Two weeks after drawing level with Rafael Nadal for the all-time ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title lead, lifting his 27th trophy, the World No. 1 has a chance to assume sole ownership with a third consecutive championship in South Florida.

The Masters 1000 series is the benchmark for success on the ATP World Tour. In May 2010, Nadal pulled even with Andre Agassi when he captured his 17th crown at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, and for the past six years he has owned at least a share of the title lead.

Djokovic will face a surging Kei Nishikori in Sunday’s final, squaring off for the ninth time in their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry. The Serb has claimed the previous five encounters, including a straight-sets victory in this year’s Australian Open quarter-finals. The top seed is ready.

“He looks very mature on the court, very experienced, as well,” Djokovic said of Nishikori. “He’s somebody that has been around and played so many matches on the big stage. I don’t see him being too overwhelmed or nervous about the occasion.

“I think even though he has played only one [ATP World Tour Masters 1000] final, he’s played many other big finals, a Grand Slam final. He’s been around for many years.”

ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Title Leaders

The sixth-seeded Japanese will hope to dethrone Djokovic from his Miami perch. The two-time defending champion is vying to achieve a three-peat at a record seventh different tour-level event, having already accomplished the feat at the Australian Open, Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Paris, and the 500 series events in Beijing and Dubai. Djokovic is also one match victory from moving past coach Boris Becker for 11th place on the Open Era wins list. Both players are currently tied with 713 victories.

With plenty at stake, Nishikori is ready for the challenge.

“If I can maintain this [level of] tennis in the final, I think I have a chance to win the title,” Nishikori said. “Obviously he’s playing really good tennis from last week, in Indian Wells, and also here. I know it’s going to be tough. But I have to discuss with my team what I have to do against him and what I can do better.

“I have a good confidence to play him. He’s at a little bit different level right now from last year, but if I can play another good match, aggressive and also patient, I think I have a chance. I will have to play 100 per cent or 120 per cent to beat him, but I will try to enjoy my first final here.”

Nishikori is contesting his second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final, having retired due to injury against Rafael Nadal in the Madrid title match in 2014. Nearly two years later, fitness issues are a thing of the past for the Japanese, and his endurance was on full display in outlasting Gael Monfils in a two-hour and 30-minute marathon in Thursday’s quarter-finals. He would save five match points to prevail in oppressive heat and humidity.

“I’m happy to be here in the final for the first time in Miami. I have been playing well this tournament so I’m not surprised that I’m here. Tomorrow I have to really focus and think of what I have to do against him and work on some stuff to play good tennis on Sunday. I know it’s going to be a tough match, but I will try to recover and have fun in the final.”