Djokovic survives stern test from Mensik to reach last four at Shanghai Masters
Novak Djokovic edged out the young Czech 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-4 to progress to the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters where he’ll meet Taylor Fritz
Novak Djokovic, Shanghai Masters, 2024 © Imago/Panoramic
Novak Djokovic is now just two wins away from his 100th ATP title after recovering from a one-set deficit to oust impressive young Czech Jakub Mensik 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-4 and reach the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters.
It will be the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s 78th Masters 1000 semi-final as the timeless Serb once again showed his class and experience to come through against a rising young talent.
19-year-old Mensik – who established himself as one to watch on the ATP Tour by reaching the final of Doha back in February – gave the world No 4 a thorough examination in a hard-fought three-set contest.
Djokovic looked to have edged decisively ahead in a tight first set with a break in the ninth game, only for the Czech to break straight back as his opponent served for the opener at 5-4.
An intriguing tiebreak followed, during which Mensik was able to elevate his level enough to unsettle an uncharacteristically conservative Djokovic and clinch a one-set lead.
The middle stanza was indicative of much that has defined the Serb’s career, as he flicked a switch to trigger his best tennis, breaking in the second and sixth games to wrestle momentum away from his young opponent and restore parity.
Another close set followed in the decider. But it was Djokovic’s endless resilience that once again came to the fore as he earned the sole break in the fifth game to edge a closely-fought contest and deny Mensik a maiden last-four Masters 1000 berth.
He will take on seventh-seeded Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals, with a possible match-up against world No 1 Jannik Sinner to come in the showpiece.
djokovic remains a perennial threat, as rival nadal retires
At 37 years old, Djokovic has become the third oldest man to reach a 1000-level semi-final. Victory against a rapidly rising young talent feels particularly pertinent for the Serb right now, given long-time Rafael Nadal’s announcement this week that he will be retiring from professional tennis at the end of the season – something which Djokovic paid tribute to in his post-match interview.
“He’s been my greatest rival. The rivalry I had with him has impacted me the most in my career by far,” Djokovic said.
“We knew that the moment was coming sooner than later. But it’s still a shock. When it came officially, also for Roger a few years ago when he announced retirement, Andy as well this year, it’s a bit overwhelming for me to be honest.
“I don’t know what to make of it. I still enjoy competing. But part of me left with them. A big part of me. It’s tough news for the tennis world and sports world.
“Rafa has been an inspiration for tons of children around the world.”
While Djokovic’s enduring quality, motivation and physical fitness all continue to defy logic, Mensik can post another fine milestone of his own in an increasingly impressive career.
Still only in his nascent days on the ATP Tour, the young Czech has already reached a maiden Masters 1000 quarter-final in Shanghai, taking out a number of high-profile names along the way. He beat both Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov as part of a four-match run en route to the last eight, and sits firmly within the top 100 at 65th in the world.
But a major scalp over the men’s all-time Grand Slam record holder currently proves a bridge too far.
The era of unprecedented success that Djokovic helped comprise appears to be drawing to its natural conclusion. Yet the Serb continues to be the outlier, as time and again he lays down a marker to declare his persistent presence as a perennial title threat.
Records pertaining to age remain some of the very few that the 24-time Grand Slam champion has yet to break.
And yet, as age continues to prove no barrier, the unwinnable battle with time is simply another fight that – for now at least – Djokovic appears to be winning.
