Match Report
Djokovic survives #NextGenATP Mensik in Shanghai, stays on track for 100th title
Serbian seeks record-extending fifth title at Chinese ATP Masters 1000
October 11, 2024
Hector Retamal/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic marches into his ninth semi-final at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
By Jerome Coombe
Novak Djokovic survived a quarter-final scare Friday at the Rolex Shanghai Masters to stay alive in his quest for a 100th tour-level title.
The record four-time champion rallied from a set down to neutralise the threat of #NextGenATP star Jakub Mensik, earning a 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4 win to advance to the last four in Shanghai for a ninth time. After a sluggish start, Djokovic clicked into gear in a near-flawless second set during which he won 92 per cent (11/12) of points behind his first serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
NOVAK. DJOKOVIC.@DjokerNole comes from a set down to defeat Jakub Mensik and reach his 7️⃣8️⃣th ATP Masters 1000 semi-final 🤯@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/rRZRgeZkmH
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 11, 2024
Bidding to become the third oldest ATP Masters 1000 semi-finalist in series history (since 1990), the 37-year-old took a stranglehold on the third set, surging to victory in two hours and 19 minutes. Djokovic will next face seventh seed Taylor Fritz, who earlier claimed a dominant 6-3, 6-4 win against David Goffin.
After improving to 36-8 on the season, Djokovic leapfrogged Andrey Rublev into seventh in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. The Serb is a record seven-time champion at the Nitto ATP Finals and now sits 355 points ahead of ninth-placed Alex de Minaur.
More to follow…
