Djokovic sportingly gives up point in Miami win

Miami: Novak Djokovic gave away a second-set point in a sporting gesture to Tommy Robredo during a 6-3, 7-5 victory Tuesday that put him in the ATP and WTA Miami Masters quarter-finals.

The Serb second seed surrendered a point to his 16th-seeded Spanish rival in the third game of the second set after a linesman mistakenly called a Robredo return out. Instead of re-playing, Djokovic donated the point, giving his opponent an ad. Though Djokovic won the game, the gesture drew applause from fans who had to wait half an hour for the start of play after morning rain. The event looked to be getting lucky, with faint sun and play continuing after forecasts of a day of deluges. "It was humid, swirly on the court. There was a lost of wind," Djokovic said. "I just was telling myself to stay mentally out there tough, composed and not get carried away by few points. "I did well, served well. I made him play an extra shot in important moments and that`s why I`m satisfied with the overall match." Djokovic, who has won six matches in a row against Robredo, is playing the event for the ninth time. He has a 28-5 record and also leads the way among active players for titles won in Miami, winning in 2007, 2011 and 2012. The Serb finished off his win in 82 minutes with a forehand winner to the corner on the first of three match points. Djokovic, who came into the event after winning the title at Indian Wells, moved into a match-up against the winner from a later match between sixth-seeded British defending champion Andy Murray and Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the number 11. "As the tournament progresses, of course the matches are going to get tougher," Djokivic said. "All the top guys are still in play. I`m going to get ready for whoever I play against. There are no more clear favourites really on the court, so I`m going to get ready for that and hopefully perform my best." In another fourth-round matchup, Japan`s Kei Nishikori outlasted Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer 7-6 (9/7), 2-6, 7-6 (11/9) after three hours and five minutes.