Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic takes on Kei Nishikori in the first semi-final of the 2014 Sony Open Tennis at the Stadium Court in Miami on Friday.

Where to Watch Live

The match is set to begin at 7pm GMT. Live coverage is on Sky Sports 3 and Sky Sports 3 HD. Real-time internet updates and live streaming link is available on ATP's official website.

Overview

Djokovic sent defending champion and world number six Andy Murray packing in the quarterfinal from Miami on Wednesday.

In the first set tiebreaker with the score at 6-5 in his favour, the Serbian nicked a return quite close to the net to gain the point in the 12th game.

However, the point was slightly controversial as Djokovic's racquet appeared to have crossed the net slightly to the other side; the umpire ruled it was on the line.

Murray's argument ended in vain, as such incidents are not considered for for a video review, even though replays later confirmed the Scot should have been awarded the point instead. Nevertheless, after winning the first set, 7-5, the world number two sealed his progress into the semi-final in little over 90 minutes after winning the second set, 6-3.

Nishikori, who upset world number four, David Ferrer in the fourth round, got his second consecutive upset of the tournament - defeating 17-time Grand Slam winner, Roger Federer in the quarter-final.

The 20<sup>th seed went down, 6-3, in the first set and one would have thought it would be a routine win for the Swiss maestro.

However, Nishikori forced the match to a deciding set after winning the second set, 7-5, thus handing Federer his first set defeat in the competition.

Nishikori then managed to overcome Federer's attempts to pull him down clinching the third set, 6-4, in a valiant battle lasting nearly 129 minutes.

Djokovic aims to lift win the trophy for the fourth time in Miami, but he will have to prevent the world number 21 from grabbing his third consecutive upset in Miami.

Whoever manages to emerge triumphant between the two, they will face the winner of the other semi-final between Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych on Sunday.

Route to Semi-final

Kei Nishikori
Kei Nishikori Reuters

Novak Djokovic

  • First Round: Bye
  • Second Round: 6-4, 6-3 v Jeremy Chardy
  • Third Round: walkover v Florian Mayer
  • Fourth Round: 6-3, 7-5 v Tommy Robredo
  • Quarterfinal: 7-5, 6-3 v Andy Murray

Kei Nishikori

  • First Round: Bye
  • Second Round: 6-4, 6-1v Marinko Matosevic
  • Third Round: 7-6(1) 7-5 v Grigor Dimitrov
  • Fourth Round: 7-6 (7), 2-6, 7-6 (4) v David Ferrer
  • Quarterfinal: 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 v Roger Federer

Head-To-Head

Djokovic and Nishikori are tied at 1-1 in overall meetings. They have faced each other once in a Grand Slam event and the Serbian has won on that occasion.

Sony Open Tennis History

Djokovic and Nishikori will meet for the first time in Miami.

Novak Djokovic