Shanghai
\n Djokovic tops Bergs, stays on course in Shanghai<\/p>\n
Serbian will face qualifier Vacherot in his 80th ATP Masters 1000 semi-final<\/p>\n
October 09, 2025<\/p>\n
Hector Retamal\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Novak Djokovic overcomes Zizou Bergs in Thursday’s Shanghai quarter-finals.
\n By Andy West<\/p>\n
Novak Djokovic<\/a> has not had it all easy at the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters<\/a>, but the Serbian remains on course for a record-extending fifth title at the ATP Masters 1000. <\/p>\n The former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Thursday overcame Zizou Bergs<\/a> 6-3, 6-4 to book his semi-final spot in China. With his victory, the 38-year-old Serbian became the oldest semi-finalist in Masters 1000 history. <\/p>\n You May Also Like: What records can Djokovic extend in Shanghai?<\/a><\/p>\n Djokovic, who battled through a leg issue and exhaustion in the Shanghai heat during his fourth-round win against Jaume Munar<\/a>, again struggled physically during the opening set against Bergs. Yet he shook off what appeared to be a problem with his left foot to advance to reach the last four at a Masters 1000 event for a record-extending 80th time. <\/p>\n Djokovic initially served for the match after breaking Bergs\u2019 serve for 5-4 in the second set, but a spirited Bergs immediately drew level with a high-quality return game. In the next game, Djokovic repelled four Bergs overheads and a swinging volley to prevail in one of the points of the tournament en route to breaking serve again, and this time the 100-time tour-level titlist made no mistake in closing out his win. <\/p>\n THE GREAT WALL OF NOVAK DJOKOVIC \ud83d\ude45\u200d\u2642\ufe0f@DjokerNole<\/a> | @SH_RolexMasters<\/a> | #RolexShanghaiMasters<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/FOVpc7wUK6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ATP Tour (@atptour) October 9, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cI was just trying to stay alive to be honest on the court,” reflected Djokovic after his maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash with the 26-year-old Bergs. “My first encounter with Bergs. He\u2019s a great guy. Obviously, a lot of firepower in his game. At times I just tried to play an extra ball in the court and make him miss the ball, and that\u2019s what happened. I should have closed out the match at 5-4. He played a good game, again I was a little bit too passive. <\/p>\n \u201cVery challenging conditions these days for all the players, and I was just trying to stay alive on the court. I\u2019m glad to overcome this hurdle.\u201d <\/p>\n Djokovic is now two wins away from a record-extending 41st Masters 1000 crown, and his first since the 2023 Rolex Paris Masters<\/a>. Standing between him and a spot in the Shanghai championship match is Valentin Vacherot<\/a>, after the Monegasque qualifier earlier upset 10th seed Holger Rune<\/a> 2-6, 7-6(49, 6-4. <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n