Flawless Djokovic downs Hurkacz, says he is still awaiting nod on US entry

Novak Djokovic stayed on course for his third title of 2023 by powering into the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships with a 6-3 7-5 win over Hubert Hurkacz yesterday.
The 35-year-old Serbian won in Adelaide before sealing his 22nd Grand Slam trophy at the Australian Open while managing a hamstring injury and has hit top form after a slow start in Dubai on his return to the tour.
Having breezed through the first set on the back of a single break, Djokovic found the going a bit tougher in the next as the big-serving Hurkacz raised his game in search of a first win over the world number one in their fifth meeting.
After a crucial hold from 0-30 down to draw level at 5-5, Djokovic grabbed another break to heap the pressure on Hurkacz and the five-times champion closed out the match on serve.
“It was a challenging match as it always is against Hubert,” Djokovic said. “I think he’s got one of the best serves in the game. In the second set, until the 11th game I didn’t have too many chances against his serve. Fortunately for me, I also found the rhythm on my serve... one or two points can decide the winner in matches like these. I’m really glad with the way I played under pressure.”
Djokovic yesterday said he will learn his fate about being granted entry into the US before the draw is revealed at Indian Wells. Djokovic said he is waiting to hear if the US government will allow him to enter the country without being vaccinated.
The Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells begins on March 8 and Djokovic said a decision will be made one way or the other before the draw for the ATP tournament is conducted on Monday at 15:00 local time. “Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I’m not allowed, I’m going to pull out, of course, before the draw,” assured Djokovic.
Alexander Zverev earlier reached his first semi-final since last year’s French Open with a 7-5 6-4 win over Lorenzo Sonego. “It’s been a very difficult time for me over the last nine months,” world number 16 Zverev said. “I haven’t played tennis at all for such a long period for the first time in my life.
“It definitely shows that the hard work is paying off and I’m extremely happy with my progress and how I’m playing right now. I’m happy to be in my first semi-final since the injury.
“Hopefully it won’t be my last and hopefully there’s much more to come here.”
Zverev next plays defending champion Andrey Rublev after the combustible Russian overcame a late wobble to get past Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3 7-6(3). Zverev has won each of their five meetings, including their last one in the 2021 Cincinnati final.

Raducanu and Thiem get Miami Open wild cards
Former-US Open champions Emma Raducanu and Dominic Thiem have been handed wild card entries into the Miami Open, the tournament said yesterday. Raducanu, winner at Flushing Meadows in 2021, also required a wild card to get into next week’s event in Indian Wells after an injury plagued start to the season.
The British number one has not played since injuring her ankle at the Australian Open and was forced out of the ATX Open in Austin after contracting tonsillitis.
Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion who was once ranked as high world number three, has also had his injury struggles this year with the 29-year-old Austrian collecting just one singles win this season. “Both these players have shown what it takes to win the biggest tournaments in the world, and we look forward to welcoming them to Miami to compete for the title here in a few short weeks,” said tournament director James Blake.