Novak Djokovic held off a late surge from Zizou Bergs to beat the Belgian, 6-3, 7-5 and reach the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters semifinals.
🖥️📲The Match in 15 Minutes: Novak Djokovic def. Zizou Bergs, Shanghai QF
The former world No. 1 is now two wins from his first ATP hard-court title since the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals, booking a final-four clash with Monegasque qualifier Valentin Vacherot after an hour and 50 minutes on Stadium Court.
“Well, it’s no secret I love playing in China,” Djokovic said after the match. “I just mentioned the support of the crowd definitely makes you feel comfortable, gives you wind in your sails. When you’re on the court feeling down they lift you up. So that’s what’s happening basically every single match the last couple matches for me here.
“I’ve been struggling quite a bit with energy levels. And just every opportunity that I get, the crowd feels it, and they stand behind me. And then, you know, I can hear that noise and that really, that energy drives me. I’m enjoying myself. As much as I’m suffering, at the same time I’m enjoying to play in front of them.”
With perhaps a little help from WTA world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the fourth-seeded Djokovic has navigated an upset-heavy tournament and brutally humid conditions to find himself the highest-ranked man left in the men’s draw following exits from top seeds Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev.
