With a 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Spain’s Jaume Munar, Novak Djokovic overcame exhaustion and made it to the Shanghai Masters’ quarterfinals on Tuesday.
With other top seeds already withdrawn or eliminated, Djokovic is on track to win a record-extending fifth title in the Chinese financial hub thanks to his hard-won success.
When the match reached a decider, the 38-year-old almost looked unable to continue, but he had the strength to defeat his decade-young opponent twice in the third set.
I love you, thank you, everyone! Before leaving the court almost immediately after play was over, he yelled in Chinese to the adoring crowd.
Despite the 84 percent humidity, the 24-time Grand Slam champion broke in the fourth game.
His injuries broke when his left ankle slipped out of his grasp as he ran toward the net and needed a medical break.
Read more about US tennis player Townsend’s apology for the “crazy” Chinese food post here.
He managed to hold the fifth game despite suffering in pain as an on-court physio treated him.
In the second set, Djokovic was treated once more and appeared to be getting tired, crouching over frequently and urking on the court during rallies.
Serbian-flag-waving Chinese fans chanted in support, but 41st-ranked Munar ultimately broke in the 12th game of the second set due to an unforced error from his opponent.
As a medical professional rushed over, the agonized Djokovic sat on the court and continued to play with his chest heaving.
However, he made up for the incredible third-set revival by breaking the first and seventh games and causing a frenzied stadium.
player in the quarterfinals who is oldest
Djokovic is the only player with the highest ranking in Shanghai and the oldest player to have reached an ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal.
The tournament’s top player Carlos Alcaraz pulled out of the mix, and Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner, and others have all been eliminated.
Due to the extreme humidity and over 30 Celsius temperatures, the Shanghai event has been a source of injuries.
After being seized with severe cramps, Sinner was forced to retire on Sunday.
Holger Rune, the 11th-ranked player who has also experienced the conditions, demanded on Tuesday that tennis officials institute a heat policy for events like Shanghai.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, from France, defeated The Dane 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, to move into the last eight.
Next up is Zizou Bergs, who is 44th overall.
The Belgian won a tense third set tiebreak, winning 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10/8), and the Belgian won.
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply