In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, the 37-year-old Novak Djokovic clinched a hard-fought three-set victory against 19-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik to secure his place in the semifinals of the ATP Shanghai Masters.
The match started on a tense note, with Djokovic leading 3-0 in the first set tiebreak. However, Mensik showcased remarkable prowess by winning seven of eight points, stealing the first set 7-4 in an impressive opening against the Serbian superstar.
Unfazed by the setback, Djokovic made a swift comeback in the second set. Dominating the court with powerful forehands, he took the set decisively 6-1, setting the stage for an intense final showdown.
The third set saw Djokovic facing persistent challenges from Mensik, who had previously upset top players like Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov in Shanghai. Despite being in a tough spot, Djokovic's speed and strategic play, including a delicate overhead and a perfect drop shot, allowed him to maintain a lead of 5-3.
On match point, Djokovic delivered a flawless ace to close the set 6-4, sealing his victory and advancing to the semifinals where he will face America's seventh seed Taylor Fritz, who defeated Belgian David Goffin 6-3, 6-4.
During a post-match interview, Djokovic took a moment to reflect on the recent retirement of fellow tennis legend Rafael Nadal. He expressed respect and admiration for Nadal's incredible career and the impact he has had on the sport, highlighting the deeply competitive yet supportive nature of professional tennis.
Reference(s):
Djokovic reaches Shanghai semis, reflects on Nadal retirement
cgtn.com
