Djokovic-Korda Quarterfinal Postponed at Miami Open Due to Late Scheduling

MIAMI, Fla. — The highly anticipated quarterfinal match between Novak Djokovic and Sebastian Korda at the Miami Open has been postponed until Thursday due to last night’s scheduling conflicts and recent rain. The tournament organizers announced the postponement as part of their commitment to player welfare, adhering to ATP rules that prohibit matches from starting after 11 p.m.

The clash was originally slated to take place Wednesday night at Hard Rock Stadium but was delayed following a rain delay that affected multiple matches earlier in the day. As a result, the Djokovic-Korda match has been set to begin at 3 p.m. local time on Thursday, becoming the second match of the day.

All ticket holders for Wednesday’s evening session can purchase a ticket for Thursday’s afternoon session at a discounted rate of $10, which will be emailed to them. Fans at the stadium expressed discontent during the announcement, with some reacting to the late change with boos and whistles.

Djokovic, 37, currently seeks his seventh Miami title and is poised to capture his 100th tour-level crown. If he manages to secure the title, it would be his first win at the Miami Open since 2016. He previously faced Korda in a thrilling match at the Adelaide 2023 tournament, narrowly winning in a closely contested third set.

“I started the match very well, I started a bit slow. I knew that if I gave him time, he would go for his shots, as he has a lot of talent,” Djokovic said after a recent victory over Lorenzo Musetti, expressing confidence in his ability to handle pressure matches.

Korda, 24, who has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Miami Open for the second time, aims to reach his first Masters 1000 semifinal. He previously achieved a significant victory during the tournament by upsetting World No. 2 Alexander Zverev earlier in the event.

As the Miami Open progresses, attention will also focus on the WTA side, where top contenders including Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula will be competing. Sabalenka is set to face Jasmine Paolini, while Pegula takes on Alexandra Eala in the women’s semifinals, which also starts early Thursday.

The logistical challenges introduced by scheduling have raised questions and criticism among fans regarding tournament management. Social media has been abuzz with comments expressing frustration, with some fans calling for better coordination to prevent future delays. Calls for accountability in the scheduling decisions persist, with many hoping for smoother operations in upcoming matches.

The Miami Open continues to be a pivotal event in the ATP and WTA tours, and while the unexpected delays test the patience of both fans and players alike, the stakes remain high as the tournament approaches its critical final stages.