Novak Djokovic learns his first Miami Open rival

Novak Djokovic will compete in Miami for the primary time since 2019. Who’s his first rival on the Exhausting Rock Stadium? The six-time champion will debit on the new venue towards Rinky Hijikata, embracing his second duel of the season towards the Aussie.

Djokovic lifted his first Masters 1000 crown in Miami 18 years in the past. He dominated in Florida till 2016, gathering six titles and main the charts alongside Andre Agassi. What’s on the desk for Novak within the subsequent two weeks?

The record-breaking seventh Miami Open title and the milestone a centesimal ATP crown.

— Brisbane Worldwide (@BrisbaneTennis) December 31, 2024

The legend may have confronted his younger compatriot, Hamad Medjedovic in his first match in Miami. Nonetheless, Hijikata prevailed over the younger gun to spoil an all-Serbian derby. Rinky defeated Hamad 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in two hours and 27 minutes to rearrange the conflict towards the 24-time Main winner.

The Aussie claimed two factors greater than the Serb in a decent encounter. Hijikata bought damaged 5 occasions and supplied six breaks from ten alternatives to emerge on the prime earlier than the deciding tie break. Hamad served for the win at 5-4 within the decider. 

Rinky Hijikata, Miami 2025© Stream screenshot

Nonetheless, he suffered a break at love and dropped three straight video games to propel his rival via and miss his first conflict towards Novak. Rinky took the pivotal factors in the midst of the opening set and cast a 4-2 benefit. 

He served for the opener at 5-4 and wasted a set level. Hamad saved his composure and pulled the break again to lock the consequence at 5-5. The younger serve squandered recreation factors within the subsequent one and skilled a break earlier than the Aussie wrapped up the set 7-5 on his serve. 

Novak Djokovic, Brisbane 2025© Stream screenshot

Hamad delivered back-to-back breaks in the midst of the second set. He closed it on his serve in recreation 9 to pressure a decider after an hour and 37 minutes. They traded early breaks within the last set, and Medjedovic grabbed one other at 4-4 with a forehand assault. 

As a substitute of bringing the victory house, Hamad sprayed a forehand error within the tenth recreation and suffered a break at love. He squandered two recreation factors at 5-6 and netted a routine forehand to lose serve and ship his rival excessive. 

Novak Djokovic, Brisbane 2025© Stream screenshot

Djokovic and Hijikata met originally of the season in Brisbane. The veteran earned a 6-3, 6-3 triumph in an hour and 14 minutes within the first spherical, enjoying properly and crusing excessive. Novak misplaced ten factors in 9 service video games, providing his rival no break factors. 

Rinky felt the stress and cracked below it. The house participant misplaced 44% of the factors in his video games and bought damaged 3 times from 5 possibilities supplied to the legend. Djokovic has not performed at his greatest after the Australian Open, and Hijikata will attempt to produce a stunner in Miami.

The Serb is on a three-match shedding streak. The final time that occurred was in 2018, and the 24-time Main winner will attempt all the things to finish his poor run and make a profitable begin in Miami.