Novak Djokovic is one step closer to claiming his 41st ATP Masters 1000 title after defeating Zizou Bergs in Shanghai.
The Serb struggled with the conditions once again in his first tour-level clash with the Belgian, but came through to emerge victorious in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5.
With his triumph, Djokovic has now reached a 10th semifinal in Shanghai, and his 80th at an ATP Masters 1000 event.
After claiming the hard-fought victory, his opponent, Bergs, made a ‘bizarre’ comment before the two shook hands at the net.
The comment Zizou Bergs made after losing to Novak Djokovic
The world number 44 told Djokovic: “I have got to stop idolising you.”
Reacting to the comment on Sky Sports, former British tennis player Collin Fleming said: “Bergs told the whole story there. ‘I have got to stop idolising you’ as he walked to the net.
“I mean, that’s slightly bizarre in my opinion. But I get it, playing Djokovic for the first time. I think that tells the story of the match.
“I think he just overplayed it in his own mind. Playing Djokovic for the first time. Physically and in terms of his skill set, he handled it, but he couldn’t sustain the level.
“It was a rollercoaster from him. Entertaining at times, but ultimately costing him in the end.”
Novak Djokovic’s semifinal opponent at the Shanghai Masters
In the semifinals, Djokovic will come up against Valentin Vacherot, a qualifier ranked 204th in the world who has enjoyed an incredible run in Shanghai so far.
Vacherot became the first player from Monaco to reach the final four of a Masters tournament after coming back from a set down to beat Holger Rune.
He has come out on top against four seeded players at the event, earning wins over Alexander Bublik, Tomas Machac, and Tallon Griekspoor.
Now, he will have to find a way past Djokovic, who may have his last best chance of winning a Masters competition with neither Jannik Sinner nor Carlos Alcaraz in his path.
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