Djokovic Streak Keeps Growing

© Getty ImagesNever A Doubt: Novak Djokovic is 22-0 on the season. He was won his past 24 matches.

Novak Djokovic improved to a 22-0 record after battling past Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-2 in the quarter-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open Wednesday night. The match was closer than the score-line indicated, lasting an hour and 48 minutes. The Serbian’s victory avenges his loss to the South African in the second round here three years ago. “It was anything but easy. The result doesn't show what we had on the court definitely,” Djokovic said during his post-match press conference.

“I kind of expected him to be aggressive, but he was really going for the shots. He was really putting a lot of pressure on me. A lot. His serve was exceptionally well and hard to read.” 

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There were two key determining factors in the match – the World No. 2 won 81 percent of his first service points, while the South African managed a modest 60 percent, 18 percent below his 2011 season average. On the return side, Anderson had five break opportunities and could not convert once, whereas the Serbian was economical with his chances, taking advantage in three of his four opportunities.

“In the second set I found that momentum, but I went through situations where I faced couple of breakpoints in the first and second set, and I saved them,” said Djokovic. “I was fortunate in those moments. If he broke me, who knows in which direction the match would go.”

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Djokovic is yet to drop serve and has lost just 14 games in four matches. He advances to his third semi-final in Miami, having won the title in 2007 and finishing as the runner-up in 2009. He’ll play American Mardy Fish, a player he’s defeated in each of their five previous matches, on Friday.

Favored to win, Djokovic is aware of the form Fish has displayed in his three victories here. “He's been playing some really good tennis this week, beating high-ranked players, quality players,” appraised the Serbian. “Today he looked really confident on the court. If he serves well, then he can really beat anybody, I think.”
 
“It's going to be really unpredictable what's going to happen. [Should be a] very good match. I look forward to it.”