Novak Djokovic, the 37-year-old Serbian tennis superstar, battled his way into the semifinals of the ATP Shanghai Masters on Friday, keeping his pursuit of a fifth title at the tournament alive. Facing 19-year-old Czech prodigy Jakub Mensik, Djokovic was pushed to the limits in a thrilling three-set encounter.
The match began with a tightly contested first set that went to a tiebreak. Djokovic, dressed in red, leapt to a 3-0 lead, but Mensik showcased remarkable resilience by winning seven of the next eight points to claim the tiebreak 7-4. It was an impressive start for the young Czech against the seasoned champion.
Undeterred, Djokovic quickly regained momentum in the second set. Demonstrating his exceptional skill and experience, he dominated with powerful shots, including a stunning forehand winner, and secured the set 6-1.
Mensik, who had previously upset top players Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov in Shanghai, continued to challenge Djokovic but ultimately found himself overpowered by the 24-time Grand Slam champion. In the decisive third set, Djokovic displayed his agility by reaching a delicate drop shot and executing a precise overhead to lead 5-3.
On match point, Djokovic sealed his victory in style with an ace, winning the final set 6-4. He advances to face American seventh seed Taylor Fritz in the semifinals, after Fritz defeated Belgian David Goffin 6-3, 6-4.
After the match, Djokovic reflected on Rafael Nadal's recent retirement announcement. \"Rafa is not just a rival; he's a friend and an inspiration,\" Djokovic said. \"His retirement marks the end of an era in tennis. I'll miss our battles on the court and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.\"
Reference(s):
Djokovic reaches Shanghai semis, reflects on Nadal retirement
cgtn.com
