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Four-time champion to face Safiullin next
October 08, 2024
Novak Djokovic eases past Flavio Cobolli on Tuesday at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic eases past Flavio Cobolli on Tuesday at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
By ATP Staff
Novak Djokovic passed the latest test in his quest for a 100th tour-level title with flying colours on Tuesday as he overpowered Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-2 to advance to the fourth round of the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

In a contest that thoroughly contrasted his opener against #NextGenATP American Michelsen, Djokovic surged to a dominant win over Cobolli in their maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

“From the beginning I had a clear game plan of what I needed to do, staying aggressive and trying to use every short ball to take the initiative in the point,” said Djokovic, who improved to 34-8 on the season. “Cobolli was evidently exhausted after last night’s match [against Stan Wawrinka]. I think that has taken a toll, physically, on him today.

“I haven’t played too many matches, I think the positive in that is that I’m fresh, so I am happy to play every day [or] as long as it takes.”

Feeling right at home @DjokerNole takes care of Cobolli 6-1 6-2 to return to the Round of 16 in Shanghai.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/YnTY7OadqN

— ATP Tour (@atptour)
October 8, 2024
Djokovic will next face Roman Safiullin, who battled back from a set and a break deficit to upset thirteenth seed Frances Tiafoe in an absorbing third-round clash.

From there, Djokovic cruised to victory to boost his hopes of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. The Serb is currently eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race, 220 points behind Andrey Rublev in seventh.

Four-time champion to face #NextGenATP Mensik for spot in last four
October 09, 2024
Novak Djokovic is chasing his 100th title this week at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
Getty Images
Novak Djokovic is chasing his 100th title this week at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
By Jerome Coombe
Novak Djokovic finished with a flourish against Roman Safiullin on Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals of the Rolex Shanghai Masters for a 10th time.

The record four-time champion was forced to dig deep in a 6-3, 6-2 win, remaining firmly alive in his quest for a 100th tour-level title. If Djokovic lifts the trophy in Shanghai, he would become the third man to achieve this feat in the Open Era (Connors, Federer).

“Both last night's match and tonight have been, maybe, some of the best matches I have played in a while, so I am just enjoying myself on the court,” said Djokovic, who improved to 35-8 on the season. “When you play well and feel good, there is obviously a lot of joy in striking a tennis ball on the court.

“These sensations I have on the tennis court are some of the reasons why I keep on playing and keep on competing because I really believe that I can play at a very high level. Now, it’s a matter of keeping that consistency and also having a good time off the court.”

Djokovic, who improved to 3-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, showed resilience to save 100 per cent (3/3) of the break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

After extending his lead in tournament wins (37), Djokovic will face #NextGenATP star Jakub Mensik, who held his nerve to defeat Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. The 19-year-old Czech, who clinched his fourth consecutive win against a Top 10 player, is the youngest quarter-finalist in Shanghai tournament history.

Safiullin withstood an electric start from Djokovic, landing an inside-out forehand winner crisp on the line to save break point in the second game. However, he was unable to replicate this form to convert the two break chances he had in the fifth game, with the Serb serving his way out of trouble with ease.

Djokovic, who has won a record 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles, remained in control to capitalise on an error-strewn eighth game from Safiullin to allow the Serb to storm into the lead.

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The second set was more straightforward for Djokovic as he proved clinical to break twice and cruise across the finish line.

Since his gruelling opener with #NextGenATP Alex Michelsen, which ended 7-6(3), 7-6(9), Djokovic has spent just two hours and 16 minutes on court. This is in stark contrast to Mensik, who has played four consecutive three-set matches to reach this stage.

Djokovic is currently eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. A strong run in Shanghai will bolster his chances of securing a spot at the Nitto ATP Finals in a bid to extend his record of seven titles.

Serbian says rival's 'legacy will live forever'
October 10, 2024
Novak Djokovic leads Rafael Nadal 31-29 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images
Novak Djokovic leads Rafael Nadal 31-29 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
By ATP Staff
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have battled fiercely on the tennis court for nearly two decades, yet their rivalry transcends mere competition. There is a deep mutual respect between the two legends, a sentiment Djokovic captured perfectly in a social media tribute to Nadal, who on Thursday announced that he will retire in November.

“One post is not enough to express the respect I have for you and what you have done for our sport,” Djokovic wrote. “You have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis and I think that’s probably the greatest achievement anyone can wish for. Your tenacity, dedication, fighting spirit is going to be taught for decades.”

Both former No. 1s in the PIF ATP Rankings, Djokovic and Nadal have contested countless epic showdowns, often lasting hours and testing the physical limits and mental endurance of both players. Djokovic and Nadal have met a record 60 times, with the Serbian holding a 31-29 lead in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

It is one of the greatest rivalries not only in tennis, but in sports.

“Your legacy will live forever,” Djokovic added. “Only you know what you had to endure to become an icon of tennis and sport in general. Thank you for pushing me to the very limit so many times in our rivalry that has impacted me the most as a player.”

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The 38-year-old Nadal will compete in his final professional event at the Davis Cup Finals, to be held in Malaga, Spain from 19-24 November.

“Your passion for representing Spain has always been remarkable,” Djokovic said. “I wish you the best possible farewell in Malaga with the Davis Cup team of Spain. I will be there in person to pay respect to your stellar career.”

Serbian seeks record-extending fifth crown at Chinese ATP Masters 1000
October 11, 2024
Extended Highlights: Djokovic, Fritz set semi-final showdown in Shanghai 2024
Watch extended Friday highlights from the Rolex Shanghai Masters, featuring quarter-final wins for Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz. Watch live & on demand at TennisTV.com.

Novak Djokovic marches into his ninth semi-final at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
By Jerome Coombe
Novak Djokovic survived a quarter-final scare Friday at the Rolex Shanghai Masters to stay alive in his quest for a 100th tour-level title.

The record four-time champion rallied from a set down to neutralise the threat of #NextGenATP star Jakub Mensik, earning a 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4 win to advance to the last four in Shanghai for a ninth time. After a sluggish start, Djokovic clicked into gear in a near-flawless second set during which he won 92 per cent (11/12) of points behind his first serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

“We went toe-to-toe until the last moment,” said Djokovic, who advanced to a record 77th Masters 1000 semi-final. “I was fortunate to find great serves in the last game, a couple of aces, that helps. I didn’t serve that well at the end of the first set when I was serving for it. He managed to turn things around by playing a good tie-break.

“I stayed collected and started off very well in the second [set], I felt that we both had a physical crisis at the beginning of the set. We pushed each other a lot, a lot of long rallies. [It was] a tough battle, almost two and a half hours.”

Bidding to become the third oldest ATP Masters 1000 semi-finalist in series history (since 1990), the 37-year-old took a stranglehold on the third set, surging to victory in two hours and 19 minutes. Djokovic will next face seventh seed Taylor Fritz, who earlier claimed a dominant 6-3, 6-4 win against David Goffin.

“I haven’t trained with him for a year and a half, so I could see today why he is one of the best servers we have in the game,” Djokovic said of Mensik, who hit 17 aces in the match. “He is only 19, the future is very bright for him. He knows that I am always there for him, whatever he needs.

“Jakub is somebody that I have been following for the last three or four years, ever since he played the finals of junior Australian Open. We like playing each other, we raise the level when we face each other. We’ve played a lot of practice sets and it’s always fun.”

After improving to 36-8 on the season, Djokovic leapfrogged Andrey Rublev into seventh in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. The Serb is a record seven-time champion at the Nitto ATP Finals and now sits 355 points ahead of ninth-placed Alex de Minaur.

Mensik, who was competing in his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final, defeated World No. 6 Rublev and No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov en route to the last eight. The 19-year-old remains fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, in strong contention to make his maiden appearance at the Next Gen Finals.

Serbian assesses knee discomfort after defeating Mensik in Shanghai quarter-final
October 11, 2024
Hot Shot: Sheer brilliance in Shanghai 2024! Djokovic's delicate touch delights QF crowd
Watch Novak Djokovic produce a moment of magic on Friday during the quarter-finals at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Watch live & on demand at TennisTV.com.

Novak Djokovic battled discomfort in his left knee en route to reaching his ninth semi-final at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
By ATP Staff
Novak Djokovic mustered up some gutsy tennis Friday night to battle his way past #NextGenATP star Jakub Mensik to book his place in a ninth semi-final at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

However, the scare posed by the 19-year-old, who took the opening set against the record four-time champion, wasn’t the only fright that Djokovic endured in the contest.

“It was a strange feeling [during] those couple of points in that game, but after that it was fine,” said Djokovic, who pulled up holding his left knee in the sixth game of the deciding set. “Hopefully when it cools down I'm not going to have any troubles with it, because I already have troubles with the right knee, so it wouldn't be great. Let's see what tomorrow brings.”

The 37-year-old underwent successful surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee following his withdrawal from the quarter-finals of Roland Garros in June. Djokovic made a miraculous recovery to make it to the Wimbledon final just three weeks later and has been competing with a soft knee brace ever since.

“China has always been a happy place, a place where I really played my best tennis throughout my career,” said Djokovic, who is seeking a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai. “These kinds of matches, against teenagers, are what really motivates me, keeps me going, and pushes me to really dig deep. To show to the world that I still have it in my legs, that I can still go the distance with the young guys.”

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After facing two exciting #NextGenATP prospects in Alex Michelsen, whom he defeated 7-6(3), 7-6(9), and Mensik, Djokovic will face seventh seed Taylor Fritz on Saturday for a spot in the championship match. Now into a record 77th ATP Masters 1000 semi-final, the No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings feels as if the American will pose a similar threat to what he has already encountered this week in China.

“I was challenged by [Alex] Michelsen in the first round, and today [in] tough matches with big servers, said Djokovic, who edged Mensik 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4. “I'm going to have a big server opponent tomorrow, Fritz, so I have to be ready for another difficult, tight match.

“[It is] quick conditions, if you serve well it's quite a big advantage. Hopefully I can be fresh, and now we are entering the last four players of the last couple of matches of the tournament. Now is the time for me to really try to step it up even more, and hopefully I can get a chance to be in the finals.”

After coming through in four sets at this year’s Australian Open quarter-final, Djokovic improved to 9-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Fritz, though he will not rest on his laurels after seeing the explosive 26-year-old reach his maiden Grand Slam final at last month’s US Open.