Djokovic overcomes injury, enters Shanghai Masters semi-finals

(Dan Tri) - Novak Djokovic overcame physical difficulties to reach the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters 2025. The Serbian player won 6-3, 7-5 against Zizou Bergs in the quarter-final match on the evening of October 9.

Expected schedule of Shanghai Masters 2025 quarterfinals

October 10th

Alex De Minaur - Daniil Medvedev (14h)

Arthur Rinderknech - Felix Auger-Aliassime (5:30 p.m.)

Djokovic defeated Bergs 6-3, 7-5 in the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters 2025. The former world number one struggled with a leg injury and exhaustion in the Shanghai heat in his fourth-round win over Jaume Munar, and again struggled physically in the opening set against Bergs. However, Djokovic overcame the injury – which appeared to be in his left leg – to book his place in his 80th Masters 1000 semi-final, setting a new record.

Djokovic celebrates his victory in the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals (Photo: Getty).

Djokovic took a 4-2 lead in the first set after breaking in the sixth game. Bergs rallied in the next game but was unable to capitalize on three break points to claim a break. In the eighth game, the German fought back, saving five set points to keep his hopes alive. However, Djokovic did not give his opponent a chance in the ninth game as he quickly sealed a 6-3 victory.

Djokovic had a chance to win the second set quickly in the ninth game when the Serb broke, but Bergs quickly regained the break with a high-quality return. In the next game, Djokovic brilliantly blocked Bergs' powerful shots to continue breaking and have a chance to end the set without having to play a tie-break. The Serb made no mistake in the 12th game, although Bergs saved two match points and won a break point. Djokovic won the second set 7-5 and finished the match after 1 hour and 52 minutes.

“Honestly, I tried to stay on the court,” Djokovic said after his first match against Bergs. “It was my first time against Bergs, he’s a great player. Obviously, his game is very strong. There were times when I had to try to hit another ball to make him lose the ball, and that’s what happened.

I should have finished the match at 5-4. He played well, but again I was a bit passive. These days the conditions are very difficult for all athletes, and I try to keep my form on the court. I am happy to have overcome the challenge today.”

Djokovic is just two wins away from his 41st Masters 1000 title, which would be his first since the 2023 Paris Masters. The 38-year-old Serbian holds a record 40 Masters 1000 titles. Djokovic will face Valentin Vacherot in the Shanghai semi-finals, after the Monaco player upset 10th seed Holger Rune 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/djokovic-vuot-qua-chan-thuong-vao-ban-ket-thuong-hai-masters-20251009202322731.htm