site.btaGrigor Dimitrov Falls to Novak Djokovic in Miami Masters Semis

Bulgaria’s top-ranked tennis player Grigor Dimitrov lost to Novak Djokovic 2:6, 3:6 in the semifinal of the Masters 1000 tournament in Miami on Friday.

The match, lasting just over an hour, was watched by football star Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela.

Dimitrov started confidently by taking the opening game but was soon broken back by Djokovic, who seized control to wrap up the first set 6:2. In the second set, the 24-time Grand Slam champion raced to a 3:0 lead. Although Dimitrov managed to break his momentum briefly, Djokovic kept the pressure on, closing out the match at 6:3.

Reaching the Miami semifinals for a second consecutive year earned Dimitrov USD 332,160, but he will drop 240 ranking points for failing to defend last year’s final appearance. 

This marked his 13th defeat in 14 matches against the 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who advanced to an eighth Miami final and will face the winner of the Taylor Fritz (USA) vs. Jakub Mensik (Czechia) clash.