Novak Djokovic: 24-time Grand Slam champion makes more history by becoming oldest ATP 1000 semi-finalist at Shanghai Masters
Novak Djokovic beat Belgium's Zizou Bergs in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters; watch the WTA and ATP Tours in China throughout this week, live on Sky Sports Tennis with Djokovic's semi-final on Saturday morning
Thursday 9 October 2025 16:29, UK
Novak Djokovic made history by becoming the oldest player to reach an ATP 1000 semi-final as he beat Belgium's Zizou Bergs 6-3 7-5.
Djokovic overcame an early injury scare when he held his left Achilles and appeared to be suffering from fatigue following his marathon last-16 win on Tuesday over Jaume Munar but found his rhythm and overpowered his opponent.
The 38-year-old will face Monaco's Valentin Vacherot on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Tennis, after the world No 204 continued his tremendous run by upsetting Holger Rune 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 on Thursday.
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Djokovic is favourite to win a record-extending 41st ATP 1000 event as Carlos Alcaraz did not enter the tournament and Jannik Sinner retired in the third round due to cramp.
The other quarter-finals see Daniil Medvedev take on Alex De Minaur and Arthur Rinderknech play Felix Auger-Aliassime on Friday.
"[It has taken] pretty much everything. I've been trying to stay alive to be honest on the court," said Djokovic, who last won a Masters title in October 2023.
"My first encounter with Bergs. He's a great guy. He has a lot of firepower in his game. At times I just tried to play an extra ball to make him miss the ball. Very challenging conditions these few weeks for all the players."
Bergs showed no signs of nerves as he shared the opening four games with Djokovic, who was not moving with full agility and continually bent down in between points, looking exhausted in the humid conditions.
Djokovic required treatment to his left Achilles and calf area in the third round but he played through any pain and began to overpower Bergs.
He broke the Belgian in the sixth game to go 4-2 up, then, crucially, saved three break points to hold in the next game. Bergs' inconsistent serve handed Djokovic three set points but he served his way out of trouble with three aces to extend the first set, but it was only a consolation as Djokovic held.
The second set was a tight affair with Djokovic only making the breakthrough in the ninth game to go 5-4 up but Bergs dug in to break back, with both players putting on a show for the crowd with exciting rallies and shot-making.
However, Djokovic broke for a second time and did not miss the opportunity to win the match at the second time of asking to seal a spot in the Shanghai semi-finals for a 10th time.
Sabalenka sets up Rybakina clash as Gauff wins
Aryna Sabalenka made it 19 consecutive Wuhan Open wins as she beat Liudmila Samsonova 6-3 6-2 to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against Elena Rybakina on Friday.
Sabalenka hit the ground running and overpowered Samansova to remain on track for a fourth straight title in Wuhan.
Rybakina was also impressive as she saw off Linda Noskova 6-3 6-4 while Iga Swiatek battled past Belinda Bencic 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.
Swiatek will face Jasmine Paolini, who benefitted from Clara Tauson retiring due to a thigh injury in the deciding set at 3-6 6-1 3-1 to the Italian.
Jessica Pegula needed three sets again in her 7-5 3-6 6-3 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova. Pegula was actually a break down in the last set but rallied back by winning four of the last five games.
Pegula will go up against Katenina Siniakova, while Coco Gauff's straight sets win over China's Zhang Shuai means she will play Germany's Laura Siegemund.
Gauff said: "It was a good match. A bit up and down but happy to be in the next round. I played my best level at some points and I'm happy to get through."
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