Novak Djokovic was full of praise for Jakub Menšík after their Shanghai masters quarter-final match.
The Serbian is into his ninth semi-final at the Masters 1000 event but he has to do it the hard way as the teenager produces a brave performance.
Djokovic lost a close first set on a tiebreak, before he dominated the second set and won the key points in the decider to seal a 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4.
The 37-year-old will face Taylor Fritz in the final four as he bids to win a record-extending 41st Masters title.
What did Novak Djokovic like about Jakub Menšík’s game?
Novak Djokovic was in control of set one before he squandered an opportunity to win while leading 5-4.
The set went to a tiebreak, which Mensik won and Djokovic was left frustrated. He soon composed himself and stormed throughout the second set.
He then grabbed an early break in set three and never looked back as the former World number one sealed the win after two hours and 19 minutes to advance at the Shanghai Masters.
Post-match Djokovic praised his opponent who he previously trained with, and he is keen to practice with him more often.
“Jakub is someone I have been following for two or three years, ever since he played finals of the junior Australian Open and we did train at my tennis centre in Belgrade,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion said on court.
“I didn’t train with him for a couple of years actually, so I could see today why he is one of the best servers we have in the game and he’s only 19. I think the future is very bright for him.
“He knows I am always there for him, whatever he needs, I think we should train more together! We like playing each other, we raise the level when we face each other. Today was the first time officially but we have played a lot of practice matches and sets.
How many matches have Novak Djokovic played this season?
Djokovic claimed his 36th win of the season after outlasting Mensik in Shanghai.
He has eight defeats this season, meaning he has contested 44 matches in 2024. Djokovic is going for his 45th win when he takes on Taylor Fritz in the last four on Saturday.
Djokovic has faced the American on nine occasions and has never suffered defeat. Fritz has won just three sets across those matches.
But the World number seven is fresh off reaching his first Grand Slam final at the US Open and feeling confident about his game.
He reached the Shanghai Masters semi-final for the first time after overcoming David Goffin in straight sets.
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