Djokovic looks for a special bunker in Shanghai | ATP Tour

Shanghai

Djokovic finds satisfaction in Shanghai

The Serbian has won 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles in his career

October 09, 2024

You only have to look at Novak Djokovic to see his love for the Asian tour. The Balkan, determined to learn the Chinese language, dressed in traditional clothing before competing and supported by the public in each match, finds a bubble of sensations to display his best level. The Rolex Shanghai Masters is no exception, where this Wednesday he sealed a ticket to the quarterfinals with the best shots of the season.

The four-time champion completed a new demonstration of strength, overcoming Roman Safiullin 6-3, 6-2 in 74 minutes of play to establish himself among the eight strongest in the tournament. The great virtues of the Balkan, supported by stellar mobility and an impossible-to-stop backhand, once again fueled at full capacity to remember his long shadow on Chinese soil.

Djokovic continues to have a stellar week in Shanghai, where he wants to regain the brilliance that made him the tournament’s all-time champion. The Balkan, who won the last two matches leaving his serve intact, will fight for a ticket to the semifinals without having lost a set. A reinforcement of solidity before facing the final rounds.

“Last night’s match and this one were, perhaps, one of the best I’ve played in a long time. I’m really enjoying myself on the court,” said Djokovic. “When you play well and feel good, the satisfaction is enormous when hitting the ball on the court.”

“These feelings I have on the court make me continue playing and competing. I think I can continue reaching a high level. Now, it’s about maintaining consistency and having fun off the court.”

If inspiration has reached Djokovic’s hands, the next round will promise to serve to definitively confirm it. The Serbian will play the quarterfinals against the Czech #NextGenATP Jakub Mensik, who this Wednesday beat Tommy Paul 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to sign his fourth consecutive Top 10 victory. That ability, which suggests a wide range of resources to challenge the strongest, is the best warning for the Balkan in an unprecedented match.

Novak is looking for rhythm in the middle of a private course, where he achieved his greatest success, winning the gold medal in the Olympic Games at the age of 37. With a balance of 35-8 in the season, far from the competitive load of other times, the Serbian runs with fresh legs in the final stretch of the year, a path that he knows like no one else in the locker room.

Each step forward strengthens Djokovic’s chances heading into the Nitto ATP Finals. Currently ranked No. 8 in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, the Serbian has already built a cushion of 155 points in the direct access places to the season finale tournament. With the opportunity to mark the ground, one more victory in Shanghai would allow him to overtake No. 7 Andrey Rublev in the year’s rankings.

This Wednesday, seventh seed Taylor Fritz also advanced to the quarterfinals, winning 6-1, 6-2 over Holger Rune in 56 minutes of play. The American will play the next round against Belgian David Goffin, who surprised Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-5 to achieve his first Top 10 victory in the last two seasons.

Did you know that…?
Novak Djokovic is the first player to reach the quarterfinals 10 times in the history of the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The Serbian, insistent like no one else in the Chinese ATP Masters 1000, heads a list that includes Roger Federer (5), Andy Murray (5), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (5) and Rafael Nadal (4).