Djokovic-Nadal in final

Novak Djokovic’s remarkable run continued late Friday as he steamed into the final of the ATP’s Miami Masters 1000, where he will face world number one Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic reached his fourth final in as many tournaments this year with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over American Mardy Fish.

Nadal, meanwhile, notched a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, now ranked third in the world.

Nadal, who is seeking his first Miami title, was rarely troubled on his serve and broke the uncharacteristically error-prone Federer four times.

Djokovic stretched his 2011 winning streak to 23 straight matches and will have a chance to add the Miami crown to the Australian Open, Dubai and Indian Wells Masters 1000 titles captured already this year.

He defeated Nadal in the Indian Wells final less than a fortnight ago, and with his triumph in the California desert, overtook Federer for number two in the world rankings.

In 30 years, only two players have made a better start to a season: John McEnroe with 39 victories, in 1984, and Ivan Lendl with 25, in 1986.

“I don’t feel invincible,” Djokovic said.

“I don’t feel that I can’t lose on the court. What I feel is big confidence.”

Fish, who will overtake Andy Roddick as the top-ranked American this week, had Djokovic on the defensive early, but couldn’t convert two break points. Then came a rain delay of nearly an hour, time that Djokovic used to regroup.

While the Nadal vs Federer clash generated the buzz of a final, even the fans’ encouraging chants could not lift Federer.

The Swiss, who delivered 31 unforced errors, went down to early breaks in both sets, and was broken in the concluding game of each.

Nadal said his first-set performance was key.

“I think I played a very good first set, solid and serious,” he said.

Azarenka wins

Victoria Azarenka defeated Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-4 yesterday to win the prestigious Miami WTA title for the second time.

Azarenka, the 21-year-old eighth seed from Belarus, added the title to the 2009 crown she captured on the courts at Key Biscayne.

Sharapova remained in search of her first title since May 2010.