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MIAMI. — World number one Novak Djokovic moved closer to a possible fourth Miami Open tennis trophy by defeating Belgium’s Steve Darcis 6-0, 7-5 to reach the fourth round.

Defending champion Djokovic, seeking his third March hard-court double of Indian Wells and Miami in the same year, fired five aces and broke Darcis five times.

Djokovic will next play Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov, who ousted Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci 7-5, 6-4.

Australian Open winner Djokovic wrapped up victory with a break in the final game to earn his 21st victory of the season as he pursues his third title of the year.

Djokovic needed less than half an hour to take the first set but had to come back from a break down in the second, trailing 5-4 before rallying for the triumph.

“The first set went completely my way, but I had a drop of intensity and didn’t use opportunities early in the second set, made it close,” Djokovic said. — AFP.