Top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic needed one hour and 56 minutes to reach the third round of the Miami Open presented by Itaú on Saturday.
The world no.1 began his campaign at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event with a win over 41st-ranked Martin Klizan (Slovakia) 6-0, 5-7, 6-1.
After taking the first set 6-0 in just 22 minutes and serving for the match at 5-3 in the second, Novak found himself in the third set as he lost four straight games.
The four-time titlist at Crandon Park regained his composure in a decider and claimed his 20th win of the season.
“Credit to Martin for battling and making me play the extra shot,” said Djokovic. “It was a pretty different game in the second set than it was in the first. I’ve been in these particular situations before many times in my career, and the experience helps just to regroup and find a way. I was frustrated, no doubt about that. Every athlete goes through ups and downs and various emotions during the matches like this. It’s important always to regroup and maintain that self‑belief and composure.“
Match statistics: aces (4-0), double faults (2-3), winners (15-13), unforced errors (29-39), total points won (97-72).
Novak won 68 per cent of his service points and converted seven of his 19 break point chances to set up a meeting with ATP no.84 Steve Darcis (Monday).
The Belgian qualifier upset no.30 seed Gilles Muller (6-4, 6-7, 6-3) earlier in the day.
It will be the second career encounter between the two, Djokovic won their only previous match, at the 2008 Rome Masters, 6-4, 6-0.
Nole is bidding to complete the Indian Wells-Miami double for a second straight year and third overall, after winning his fourth BNP Paribas Open title last Sunday.
Photo: Getty Images
