Roger Federer hadn’t played a clay-court season in three years. That changed on Sunday when the Swiss nabbed his 101st career title at the Miami Open. While most 37-year-olds can’t think of playing professionally, for Federer, a World No. 1 title is still in reach.

Federer Wins 4th Miami Open Title

However his 6-1,6-4  takedown of John Isner, the world No. 10, at the new Hard Rock Stadium, hints that there’s still some left in the tank. To pull in his 28th ATP Masters 1,000 title overall, and his first at that level since Shanghai in 2017, was impressive.

After a disappointing fourth-round exit at the hands of rising Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Australian Open, it seemed like his star was falling quickly. However, he turned things around after that. In the wake of the exit, he reached three straight finals, won two events, and became the first and still the only man to win more than one title this year.

It took him just over an hour to brush off his American competition. In doing so, he closed the gap on Jimmy Connors’ all-time trophy record to eight. However, he said walking away from the tournament with a win might be “the perfect scenario.” He added, “But as I don’t know what the situation is for next year, I can’t say that. I hope to be back next year, but if I don’t come back ever again, you know, this is a good end, anyhow.”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

With the victory, Federer also guns for Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and his No. 1 ranking in the Race to London. That pushes him to No. 4 in the regular ATP rankings, where Djokovic still holds pole position.

That’s not to say that Federer hasn’t benefited from luck. Rafael Nadal missed Miami with a knee injury that also prevented him from taking on Federer in the semifinals at Indian Wells, and Djokovic suffering early losses at both. With those two out of the way, it takes a lot of stress off and generally makes for an easier path to victory.

While already being the top-paid tennis player, avoiding clay courts has cost him points in the last two years. In these next two months, he could make up for that discrepancy and push for a No. 1 ranking.

Alexander Zverev, a 19-year-old German 16th-seed, stunned at the Miami Open on Tuesday by defeating top-seed Stan Wawrinka on the Swiss star’s 32nd birthday.

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal Reach Miami Open Quarterfinals

Zverev, who also beat 2016 U.S. Open champion Wawrinka at the St. Petersburg Open in September to claim his first ATP title, topped the Swiss 4-6, 6-,2 6-1 to reach the Miami Open quarterfinals.

The German will next face 12th-seeded Australian youngster Nick Kyrgios on Thursday morning at 10 am EST. Kyrgios defeated Belgian David Goffin. 

Fifth-seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, saw off Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-4, 7-6 (4), while fourth-seed Roger Federer eliminated 14th-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4). Federer will play tenth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych in Thursday morning’s other quarterfinal. Nishikori will face Italian Fabio Fognini on Wednesday afternoon (3 pm EST), while Nadal will play 24-year-old American Jack Sock, a 13th-seed from Nebraska, on Wednesday night (9 pm EST).

Sock had beaten compatriot Jared Donaldson 6-2, 6-1, and Fognini eliminated American Donald Young, 6-0, 6-4. Federer’s win was his 16th in 17 matches in 2017.

Second-seed Kei Nishikori of Japan, a finalist at Key Biscane last year, rallied from a break down in the last set to top Argentina’s Federico Delbonis 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Second-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova reached the women’s semifinals with a 6-3, 6-4 win over 26th-seeded Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.

Caroline Wozniacki progressed to the women’s semi-finals with a straight sets win over Lucie Safarova.

The Danish former world number one, seeded 12th in Miami, was a 6-4 6-3 winner against her Czech opponent.

Wozniacki and Pliskova will face off on Thursday morning (10 am EST).

Top-seeded German Angelique Kerber and 11th-seed Venus Williams will play each other in Wednesday night’s quarterfinal at 7 pm EST.

KEY BISCAYNE, FL – MARCH 28: Alexander Zverev of Germany in action against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 28, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic clinched a record-tying sixth Key Biscayne title and his third in a row after defeating Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-3 in the Miami Open final on Sunday.

Novak Djokovic Wins Sixth Miami Open Title By Defeating Kei Nishikori

After Nikishori shanked the final shot, Djokovic, 28, happily jumped near the net and delivered a net kick, flying high.

During the trophy ceremony, the World No. 1 recalled winning his first Key Biscayne title at the age of 19.

“I have a very special connection to this tournament,” Djokovic told the crowd. “In 2007 it was the biggest title I had won in my career. It has been a springboard for everything coming after that. I certainly hope that the love affair continues in the years to come.”

Djokovic matched American Andre Agassi’s record of six men’s titles at Key Biscayne, and the Serb appears to be invincible. He’s 28-1 so far in 2016, his lone loss coming during his quarterfinal against Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in Dubai, which he retired from due to an eye infection.

Djokovic earned his 28th ATP Masters title, breaking the record he shared with Rafael Nadal. He also recorded his 714th career victory.

The No. 6-ranked Nishikori lost to Djokovic for the sixth straight time and failed after an erratic serve. He recorded five double-faults, all of which Djokovic took advantage of to earn five breaks.

Nishikori required treatment from a trainer on his left thigh late in the second set, but his opponent ultimately proved to be the bigger problem.

“It’s always tough to play Novak,” Nishikori said later. “I thought I wasn’t playing too bad, but at the same time he played great tennis. He was very patient and he didn’t miss.”

Djokovic won all 12 of his sets in the tournament. Djokovic earned $1.03 million — the same as women’s champion Victoria Azarenka. After winning the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells two weeks ago, Djokovic caused controversy when he said men should earn more prize money than women because they draw larger crowds.

Djokovic overtook Roger Federer as the ATP Tour career leader in prize money with $98.2 million. The French Open is the only major tournament the Serb, a 10-time Grand Slam champion, has yet to win.

Caption: KEY BISCAYNE, FL – APRIL 03: Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot to Kei Nishikori of Japan during the final on Day 14 of the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 3, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

World No. 3 Men’s Tennis Player Roger Federer blames a bathroom mishap while on parental duty for the knee injury that forced him to undergo surgery for the very first time in his entire career.

Roger Federer Blames Bath Mishap For Injury That Led To Surgery

Federer spoke at a press conference on Thursday, on the eve of his first match since the Feb. 3 operation, and explained that he hurt himself while preparing a bath for his twin daughters. He turned suddenly and heard his left knee click.

“It was a very simple movement, probably a movement I’ve done a million times in my life,” he said. “I didn’t think much of it when it did happen.”

Federer’s ankle soon became swollen, which led him to undergo arthroscopic surgery just a few days later to repair a torn meniscus. He is scheduled to return Friday, when he will face longtime Argentine rival Juan Martin del Potro in the second round of the Miami Open.

Federer, 34, is now playing in Key Biscane for the 16th time, even though he missed the tournament last year due to scheduling reasons.

Following his speedy recovery, Federer made a late decision to enter the tournament this month. He was on crutches for 12 days and has trained without restrictions for the past nine days.

“Expectations are really low, which is nice for a change — just see where I am,” the 17-time Grand Slam champion said. “I’m just really pleased I’m back. I didn’t expect myself to be back here, to be quite honest, after the surgery.”

Federer’s layoff comes amidst a scandal involving Maria Sharapova failing a doping test, and a heated debate regarding equal prize money for men and women.

“I’m happy that tennis has produced some of the greatest female athletes in the world,” he said. “Equal prize money is a good thing.”

Fellow Grand Slam champion del Potro is also recovering from an injury. He returned to the tour in February after an 11-month layoff, during which he twice underwent surgery on his left wrist.

“His injury was much, much greater,” Federer said. “That’s why I’m really pleased for him that he was able to find a way back onto the tour.”

Federer is 15-5 against del Potro, including 5-1 in Grand Slam tournaments. His only loss came in the 2009 U.S. Open final for del Potro’s lone major title.

Only three tournaments into his return from left wrist surgery, Argentine tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro will now prepare to face off against third-ranked Swiss Roger Federer in the second round of the Miami Open on Friday.

Juan Martin Del Potro To Face Roger Federer On Comeback Trail For Both

Del Potro, 27, defeated countryman Guido Pella 6-0, 7-6 (7/4) Wednesday in his opening match at the ATP and WTA hard-court event.

Del Potro rolled through his first set in 29 minutes, Pella having as many unforced errors, 14, as points in the set. Pella battled back in the second set, saving a set point in the 10th game, but dropped three of the last four points in the tiebreaker, netting a backhand volley with the last to lose after 87 minutes.

Federer underwent knee surgery on February 3 and as a seed had a first-round bye.

“I’m going to try to play my best tennis against Roger,” Del Potro said. “We’re both coming off injuries but I think it will be a really good match.”

Del Potro, former World No. 4, is now ranked 366th due to his long injury layoff. He made it to the semifinals in last month’s Delray Beach Tournament, and was ousted in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Federer, who has won 17 Grand Slam singles titles, has a 15-5 career record against Del Potro. However, the Argentine defeated Federer in the 2009 US Open final. Federer had won all six matches against Del Potro before that.

It has been since the 2012 London Olympics that the pair met on an outdoor hardcourt surface like the one they will play on this Friday.

Del Potro is now headed to his eighth Miami Open. His best showing came in 2009, when he lost to the eventual champion, Scotsman Andy Murray, in the semifinals.

Federer, 34, won titles in Miami in 2005 and 2006 and this year was a finalist at Brisbane and Australian Open semi-finalist before his operation.

“It’s great to have Roger back,” top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic said. “He is such an important player for our sport with his personality and all he has achieved in his career.”

Caption: KEY BISCAYNE, FL – MARCH 22: Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina returns a shot to Guido Pella of Argentina during the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 23, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)