A desperate Novak Djokovic fought back from a set and a break down to defeat Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-0 on Tuesday, salvaging hopes of defending his Miami Open title.
The world No. 1 won 24 of the last 27 points to reach a quarterfinal against Spanish sixth seed David Ferrer, a 7-6(5), 6-0 winner over Frenchman Gilles Simon at the ATP and WTA hardcourt tournament.
Ukraine challenger Dolgopolov was unable to stretch his lead to a double break in the second set, Djokovic saving two break points in the fourth game.
“I was really frustrated,” Djokovic said. “I was trying to calm myself down, because inside there was a big fire. You could see a little bit of that in the first set.
“Just try to get to the state of mind where I have a serene, controlled mind and emotions and where I’m able to just be in the present moment. That’s where I was focusing on.”
The Serbian top seed turned the match on its head in a 22-minute final set in which he could do no wrong, sustaining his chance for a US double after his Indian Wells final victory over Roger Federer.
Britain’s Andy Murray won his 500th career victory, defeating South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
The third-seeded Scotsman, who holds two Grand Slam titles, needed his best effort against his 17th-ranked rival. Apart from his 500 wins, Murray has 155 defeats with 31 titles, including the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon crowns.
“I hope I’ve still got a lot more wins in me,” Murray said. “To get to 500 is good. It’s not an easy thing to do at my age. It’s nice. Hopefully I can keep going.”
Murray is the first British man, the ninth active player and the 46th man in the post-1968 Open Era to achieve the 500-win plateau. Next up for Murray will be Austrian Dominic Thiem, who defeated Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5.
Japan’s fourth seed Kei Nishikori beat Belgian David Goffin 6-1, 6-2 with Nishikori set to move to a career-best fourth in the world, sending Rafael Nadal to fifth.
On the women’s side, Spanish 12th seed Carla Suarez Navarro eliminated three-time Miami winner Venus Williams 0-6, 6-1, 7-5.
Sania-Hingis in semis
Meanwhile in doubles, top-seeded Sania Mirza and her Swiss partner Martina Hingis served past the Rodionova sisters, Anastasia and Arina, 6-3, 6-4 to enter the last four.
The duo, which decided to unite in February, will now meet the seventh-seeded Hungary-French combine of Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic in the semifinals.
The results:
Men (fourth round): Tomas Berdych bt Gael Monfils 6-3, 3-2, retd,; Dominic Thiem bt Adrian Mannarino 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5; Juan Monaco bt Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-3; Andy Murray bt Kevin Anderson 6-4, 3-6, 6-4; David Ferrer bt Gilles Simon 7-6(5), 6-0; Kei Nishikori bt David Goffin 6-1, 6-2; Novak Djokovic bt Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-0; John Isner bt Milos Raonic 6-7(3), 7-6(6), 7-6(5).
Women: Quarterfinals: Singles: Andrea Petkovic bt Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-2; Carla Suarez Navarro bt Venus Williams 0-6, 6-1, 7-5.
Doubles: Sania Mirza & Martina Hingis bt Anastasia & Arina Rodionova 6-3, 6-4.