Djokovic Achieves Milestone with 80th Masters 1000 Semifinal

Following his 6-3, 7-5 triumph over Zizou Bergs in the Shanghai Masters quarterfinal on Thursday, Novak Djokovic expressed his sentiments regarding the demanding playing conditions.

The Serbian athlete has now secured a record-breaking 80th semifinal appearance at the Masters 1000 level.

Djokovic had been visibly affected by the intense heat in Shanghai, experiencing vomiting during his previous two matches. He conveyed relief after navigating another challenging match under the harsh conditions.

Reflecting on his victory against Bergs, the Serbian tennis star highlighted the difficulty of the conditions at the Shanghai Masters, stating that reaching the semifinal required significant effort. He also acknowledged his young opponent’s impressive skills.

Djokovic further commented that the circumstances were proving tough for all competitors, and his primary focus was simply to endure on the court.

He stated, “Frankly, I’m just trying to survive out there. It was my first match against Bergs; he’s a fantastic player with considerable strength. I often aimed to hit one extra ball, forcing him to make errors, which worked.”

“I should have concluded the match at 5-4, but he performed well, and I became somewhat passive. These conditions are really testing for everyone. I’m just aiming to remain competitive and am pleased to have overcome this challenge.”

Novak Djokovic boasts the most titles at the Shanghai Masters, having won the tournament four times, and is now just two matches away from further solidifying his record.