Novak Djokovic’s 100th title is one win away in Shanghai | ATP Tour

Shanghai

Djokovic’s 100th title is one win away in Shanghai

The Serbian will play for the title this Sunday against Sinner

October 12, 2024

When Novak Djokovic landed in China to play the Rolex Shanghai Masters, he arrived with a clear goal: to lift the 100th crown of his career in this ATP Masters 1000 tournament. Almost two weeks later, he is just one victory away from achieving it.

The Serbian defeated Taylor Fritz in the Shanghai semifinals this Saturday 6-4, 7-6(6), in one hour and 56 minutes to advance to the last round of an ATP Masters 1000 for the 59th time in his career and first of the season.

“I came to Shanghai after five years without playing in China, a place where I have always had a lot of success, both in Shanghai and Beijing,” Djokovic acknowledged about the possibility of joining Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) in the centenary club in titles. “I have won many titles, I have had great battles and great performances. I have said it many times, the support I have here is tremendous and I am very grateful.”

“That generates an energy that carries me forward, so I came here with a vision and a desire to reach the final to fight for the 100th title. I have that opportunity against the best player in the world and we will see what happens,” he added. .

Djokovic, who has won four times in Shanghai, has reached at least one ATP Masters 1000 final in 17 different seasons (2007-09, 2011-23), a mark that ties him with the record shared with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

On this occasion, he had to overcome a rival whom he had the measure taken. In the 10 matches recorded by the Lexus ATP Head2Head, victory has gone to the Balkan side. Also in Shanghai, as had happened this same year in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

Djokovic needed just one break in the first set to tip the balance on his side. It was in the fifth game, with 2-2 and 0/40, he took advantage of his second opportunity to open a gap that the American was not able to recover.

In the second set the forces were adjusted. Serves prevailed over returns, although both Djokovic (0/3) and Fritz (0/2) had options to break their rival’s serve. But it was the tie-break that decided the winner, although the Serbian had to save a set point down at 5-6 in the tiebreaker.

The Serbian will face Jannik Sinner in the final, who this Saturday secured the No. 1 at the end of the year presented by PIF, after defeating Tomas Machac in the first semifinal 6-4, 7-5.

With this result, Djokovic has risen three positions in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin and has already reached No. 6, which brings him closer to the Nitto ATP Finals next November.

Did you know that…?

Novak Djokovic is the player who has won the Rolex Masters 1000 the most times with four titles (2012, 2013, 2015, 2018) and has a match record of 39-5 since he debuted in this ATP Masters 1000 in 2009.