Novak Djokovic has advanced to the final of the Miami Masters without touching a racquet as opponent Kei Nishikori was forced to withdraw before their semi-final with a left groin injury.

It was the second walkover of the tournament for second seed Djokovic, who also got a free pass into the fourth round when German Florian Mayer – also suffering a groin injury – could not play their match last week.

Serb Djokovic, a three-time Miami winner, has reached the Sunday final after playing just six sets. He will await the winner from the second semi-final between top seed Rafael Nadal and Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych.

Nishikori wrote on his Facebook page: “Very sorry to say that I have to pull out today. Very disappointed and I am obviously very sorry for any fans that wanted to come out for this match.

“This tournament is very special to me and I look forward to coming back in the years to come. I will work with my medical team to be back healthy as soon as possible.”

The Japanese number one had played two long matches heading into the Djokovic clash.

But observers at Nishikori’s morning hit-out noticed that he could not strike a serve at full force. His coach called off the session shortly after it began with a shake of his head.

Djokovic will be playing his second straight Masters 1000 final after winning Indian Wells a fortnight ago over Roger Federer, Nishikori’s quarter-final victim.