Djokovic endures physical test to reach Shanghai semis
Under the relentless Shanghai sun, Novak Djokovic fights through leg troubles and a resilient opponent to edge closer to a fifth title at the Masters 1000 event.
In the sticky heat of the 2025 Shanghai Masters, Novak Djokovic pushes through another grueling test, defeating Zizou Bergs 6-3, 7-5 to claim his spot in the semifinals. The Serbian, pursuing a record-extending fifth title at this ATP Masters 1000, has faced mounting physical demands throughout the week, yet his resolve keeps him on track for what could be his 41st crown at this level. This quarterfinal victory, marking his 80th Masters 1000 semifinal, underscores a campaign defined by perseverance amid exhaustion and high expectations.
Shaking off leg discomfort in the opener
Djokovic carries forward the fatigue from his fourth-round battle against Jaume Munar, where heat and a leg issue sapped his energy on the hard courts. Against Bergs, a twinge in his left foot hampers his early movement, forcing him to deepen his positioning and rely on crosscourt forehands to control the baseline exchanges. He breaks serve at 3-3 with a precise inside-out winner that skids low on the medium-fast surface, securing the first set without overextending his stride.
The 38-year-old veteran masks the pain through tactical shifts, mixing topspin loops with occasional underspin slices to disrupt Bergs' flat-hitting rhythm. This adaptation turns potential vulnerability into dominance, as the crowd senses his growing command amid the humid air. By set’s end, he has shaken off the instability, setting a tone of quiet defiance that echoes his season-long fight against bodily limits.
Clutch defense turns second-set tide
As tension builds in the second set, Djokovic serves for the match at 5-4, but Bergs responds with a sharp return game, leveling the score and drawing roars from the packed stands. The Belgian’s aggression probes the Serb’s second serve, forcing defensive lobs that test his recovery on the skidding hard courts. Undeterred, Djokovic counters in the next game, repelling five straight overheads from Bergs in a scrambling display of athleticism and anticipation—one of the match’s standout points that swings momentum back his way.
That sequence leads to another break, allowing the 100-time tour-level titlist to close out the win on his next serve, his one–two combinations pinning Bergs deep. The episode highlights the psychological edge honed over decades, where lapses invite pressure but resolve delivers breakthroughs. With the victory, he eases some of the seasonal strain, his path now clear for deeper runs.
Facing qualifier fire in the semifinals
Now two wins from glory—and his first Masters 1000 title since the 2023 Paris Masters—Djokovic meets Valentin Vacherot, the Monegasque qualifier who upset 10th seed Holger Rune 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in a thriller. Vacherot’s run exploits fast-court speed with aggressive returns, demanding Djokovic refine his inside-in patterns to counter any wide serves. The former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings eyes this clash as a chance to blend experience with adaptability, shortening rallies to preserve energy on these true-bouncing courts.
The Shanghai atmosphere crackles with anticipation, the crowd’s energy fueling the Serb’s pursuit of narrative redemption in a year of highs and hurdles. His semifinal approach will hinge on sustaining these micro-adjustments, turning physical trials into triumphs that affirm his enduring supremacy. One step closer to the trophy, Djokovic’s arc promises more grit in the pressure cooker ahead.
