In a captivating display at the Shanghai Masters, Novak Djokovic cruised to a convincing victory over unseeded Zizou Bergs, winning 6-3, 7-5, and securing his spot in the semifinals. The Serbian star, who recently celebrated his 38th birthday, faced less resistance than in previous rounds, where he battled both opponents and the challenging humid conditions of Shanghai.
Throughout the match, Djokovic exhibited dominant play, although he faced a moment of vulnerability when he was broken while serving at 5-4 in the second set. Ultimately, he sealed the match on his third match point, overcoming a notable lapse to advance. Following the match, Djokovic commented on the intense conditions, saying, “Very challenging conditions these days for all the players, and I was just trying to stay alive on the court. I’m glad to overcome this hurdle.”
In one of the more heartwarming interactions of the day, Bergs, a 26-year-old Belgian and relative newcomer to the tour, jokingly remarked to Djokovic, “Man, I’ve got to stop idolizing you,” before sharing a friendly hug at the net. This match marked the first encounter between the two players.
Meanwhile, Valentin Vacherot made headlines by pulling off a sensational upset against 10th seed Holger Rune. The qualifier from Monaco battled back after dropping the first set, ultimately triumphing with a score of 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4. This victory made Vacherot the second lowest-ranked player to reach the semifinals in Masters 1000 events over the last 35 years, underscoring the remarkable nature of his achievement.
After his match, Vacherot expressed his disbelief at the unexpected success, stating, “This is just unbelievable. I didn’t come as a qualifier, I came as an alternate. I wasn’t even sure I was going to play qualifying.” His decisive win came after Rune struggled with leg cramps in the final set, eventually leading to his defeat as he netted a return to give Vacherot the victory. As Vacherot fell to his knees in celebration, the emotion of the moment was palpable, highlighting the thrill of his ascent in the tournament.
With Djokovic and Vacherot set to clash in the semifinals, fans can expect an intriguing matchup between experience and rising talent, as both players seek to secure a place in the final.
