Aug 4, 2024; Paris, France; Novak Djokovic (SRB) returns a shot within the males’s singles gold medal match towards Carlos Alcaraz (not pictured) throughout the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer season Video games at Stade Roland Garros. Obligatory Credit score: Amber Searls-Imagn Pictures Novak Djokovic defeated Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-3, 7-5 on the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Thursday to change into the oldest-ever ATP Masters 1000 semifinalist at 38.
The fourth-seeded Serbian star reached his record-extending eightieth Masters 1000 ultimate 4 and is looking for his record-extending fifth title in Shanghai.
His unlikely opponent is qualifier Valentin Vacherot of Monaco, who rallied for a 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory towards No. 10 seed Holger Rune of Denmark in Thursday’s different quarterfinal.
Djokovic loved a extra snug match towards Bergs after struggling battling exhaustion and a leg harm in sizzling and humid situations in his fourth-round win towards Spain’s Jaume Munar.
Djokovic, who improved to 27-0 this season when successful the primary set, saved 4 of 5 break factors and dedicated solely eight unforced errors to win in a single hour and 51 minutes.
“I used to be simply making an attempt to remain alive to be trustworthy on the court docket,” Djokovic stated. “My first encounter with Bergs. He is an ideal man. Clearly, a whole lot of firepower in his sport. At instances I simply tried to play an additional ball within the court docket and make him miss the ball, and that is what occurred. I ought to have closed out the match at 5-4. He performed an excellent sport, once more I used to be somewhat bit too passive.
“Very difficult situations lately for all of the gamers, and I used to be simply making an attempt to remain alive on the court docket. I am glad to beat this hurdle.”
Djokovic is 2 wins away from his record-extending forty first Masters 1000 crown, and first because the Rolex Paris Masters in 2023.
At No. 204, Vacherot grew to become the second lowest-ranked semifinalist in Masters 1000 historical past (since 1990). Solely Chris Woodruff at No. 550 was ranked decrease when he made a surprising run at Indian Wells in 1999.
Together with his upset of Rune in two hours and 59 minutes, Vacherot is assured to crack the Prime 100 for the primary time.
“I did not come as a qualifier, I got here as an alternate. I wasn’t even positive I used to be going to play qualifying,” Vacherot stated. “That is simply unbelievable. The final win meant already a lot to me. This one means much more.
“It was powerful not to consider it on match level, additionally breaking the Prime 100. I do know that is only a step, however I attempted not to take a look at the rankings for this complete match. I had learn that if I gained, I’d break the Prime 100, however that is simply unbelievable for me. I can’t anticipate (the semifinal). I am simply so completely satisfied and residing the dream.”
Vacherot, 26, withstood 12 aces and 49 winners from Rune and saved seven of 10 break factors to maneuver nearer to his first profession singles title.
–Discipline Degree Media
