Novak Djokovic survives #NextGenATP Jakub Mensik in Shanghai, stays on observe for a centesimal title | ATP Tour

Match Report

Djokovic survives #NextGenATP Mensik in Shanghai, stays on observe for a centesimal title

Serbian seeks record-extending fifth crown at Chinese language ATP Masters 1000

October 11, 2024

Novak Djokovic survived a quarter-final scare Friday on the Rolex Shanghai Masters to remain alive in his quest for a a centesimal tour-level title.

The document four-time champion rallied from a set all the way down to neutralise the specter of #NextGenATP star Jakub Mensik, incomes a 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4 win to advance to the final 4 in Shanghai for a ninth time. After a sluggish begin, Djokovic clicked into gear in a near-flawless second set throughout which he received 92 per cent (11/12) of factors behind his first serve, in response to Infosys ATP Stats.

“We went toe-to-toe till the final second,” mentioned Djokovic, who superior to a document 77th Masters 1000 semi-final. “I used to be lucky to search out nice serves within the final sport, a few aces, that helps. I didn’t serve that effectively on the finish of the primary set after I was serving for it. He managed to show issues round by taking part in a very good tie-break.

“I stayed collected and began off very effectively within the second [set], I felt that we each had a bodily disaster at first of the set. We pushed one another loads, a whole lot of lengthy rallies. [It was] a tricky battle, virtually two and a half hours.”

Sealed with an ace 😘

The second @DjokerNole turned the third oldest man to achieve ATP Masters 1000 semi-final after Federer 🙌@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/glxPE8KpU9

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 11, 2024

Bidding to turn out to be the third oldest ATP Masters 1000 semi-finalist in collection historical past (since 1990), the 37-year-old took a stranglehold on the third set, surging to victory in two hours and 19 minutes. Djokovic will subsequent face seventh seed Taylor Fritz, who earlier claimed a dominant 6-3, 6-4 win in opposition to David Goffin.

“I haven’t skilled with him for a yr and a half, so I may see immediately why he is without doubt one of the finest servers we now have within the sport,” Djokovic mentioned of Mensik, who hit 17 aces within the match. “He’s solely 19, the longer term could be very vivid for him. He is aware of that I’m all the time there for him, no matter he wants.

“Jakub is any individual that I’ve been following for the final three or 4 years, ever since he performed the finals of junior Australian Open. We like taking part in one another, we increase the extent once we face one another. We’ve performed a whole lot of observe units and it’s all the time enjoyable.”

After enhancing to 36-8 on the season, Djokovic leapfrogged Andrey Rublev into seventh within the PIF ATP Stay Race To Turin. The Serb is a document seven-time champion on the Nitto ATP Finals and now sits 355 factors forward of ninth-placed Alex de Minaur.

Mensik, who was competing in his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final, defeated World No. 6 Rublev and No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov en path to the final eight. The 19-year-old stays fourth within the PIF ATP Stay Race To Jeddah, in sturdy rivalry to make his maiden look on the Subsequent Gen Finals.