Djokovic brushes past Nishikori to claim sixth Miami title

Sport360 staff 02:44 04/04/2016
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  • Celebrations: Djokovic.

    Novak Djokovic secured a record-equalling sixth Miami Open title in comfortable fashion on Sunday as he defeated Kei Nishikori in straight sets.

    The world number one claimed the trophy for a third straight year with a 6-3 6-3 victory in a match that lasted just under an hour and a half.

    As well as drawing him level with Andre Agassi for the most Miami triumphs, this success also saw Djokovic move one clear of Rafael Nadal to become the outright leader with 28 on the list of players to have won the most ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments.

    The Serbian responded to a first-game break by his Japanese opponent by immediately breaking back, then broke him again to go 4-2 up.

    Nishikori broke back to make it 4-3, but Djokovic then did likewise en route to wrapping up the opening set.

    The second saw Djokovic break straight away, and he went on more or less untroubled from there to victory, while Nishikori needed treatment on his left leg at one point, and at another threw a racquet away in frustration.

    Djokovic told Sky Sports: “I think Kei started really well and I knew he would come out with a great intensity and try to take the short balls and be aggressive, but I managed to answer right back.

    “The first set was a battle, but by the second I had already started feeling more comfortable in my service games, putting a lot of pressure on his.

    “Overall, it was a very solid performance and I can’t ask for a better start to the season so far.”

    The 28-year-old was also victorious at Indian Wells last month and in January claimed his third straight major by winning the Australian Open.

    He has 11 grand slams to his name, but he is still yet to win the French Open, the next major to come this year.

    Djokovic added: “I just want to focus on the next event (the Monte Carlo Masters).

    “I know everybody keeps talking about Roland Garros and what my chances there are, but it is a long clay-court season as well, so I need to build, take care of my body and have the right, positive frame of mind, not letting anything slip, and then I’m sure I’ll give myself a fair chance.”

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