Djokovic reaches the Masters semifinals for the 80th time and will face a dark horse next round; after the match, he admitted he has been struggling to survive this week.

In today’s Shanghai Masters men’s singles quarterfinals, Serbian ace Novak Djokovic overcame Belgian youngster David Goffin 6-3, 7-5, marking his 80th appearance in ATP Masters semifinals. Nevertheless, although victorious, Djokovic’s fitness was still lacking, causing worry among supporters.

Before the match, opinions about this key encounter varied. On one hand, Djokovic is a tournament legend with nine previous semifinal appearances in Shanghai, showcasing undeniable experience and skill; on the other hand, at 38 years old, his recent form, especially his mobility and attacking touch, sparked much debate about whether he can still perform at his peak.

His opponent, Goffin, is known for his youthful and aggressive playing style, having risen rapidly this season. Many experts predicted that his powerful shots might challenge Djokovic, with the match’s outcome largely depending on Djokovic’s control stability versus Goffin’s ability to limit errors.

Throughout this week’s event, Djokovic advanced round by round but faced tough resistance; in earlier matches, he encountered strong challenges, and in the previous round, he even experienced vomiting and severe physical discomfort, preventing him from attending the post-match interview. Meanwhile, Goffin has been in hot form, defeating several seeded players and showing dark horse potential.

Pre-match odds slightly favored Djokovic, but the margin was narrow, reflecting widespread concerns about the Serbian’s stamina and physical condition.

The match was tightly contested from the start. In the first set, Djokovic secured a crucial break to win 6-3, but the process was far from easy—his attacking shots were noticeably off, with several forehands going long and backhands lacking penetration.

Live viewers commented: “Djokovic is really struggling today, relying solely on experience,” and “Goffin’s shots are fast but error-prone.”

In the second set, Goffin intensified his offense and even broke Djokovic’s serve in a match point game, but Djokovic showed his champion’s composure by defending brilliantly and anticipating well, saving multiple break points to eventually clinch the set 7-5. Fans watching live exclaimed: “That defense is incredible, still moving like that at 38!” and “Goffin is young and energetic, but too careless at critical moments.”

The match statistics clearly reflected the flow: Djokovic recorded only 11 winners, far fewer than Goffin’s 25, but forced his opponent into 40 unforced errors while committing just 16 himself. This contrast highlighted Djokovic’s successful “defense-first” strategy, especially given his limited mobility, where experience and touch compensated for his lack of offensive firepower.

In the post-match interview, Djokovic openly admitted he had been “barely surviving” this week. He said, “This week’s matches have been tough for all players, and I’m glad I managed to overcome the difficulties and stay on the court.” These words revealed the struggle and resilience behind his Shanghai journey.

He emphasized the importance of perseverance under challenging conditions and thanked the fans for their support. He also praised his semifinal opponent, Vachero, calling his performance “impressive” and noting their familiarity makes the upcoming match a new challenge for him.

Fans and netizens expressed high expectations for Djokovic’s performance, with many posting on social media: “Just two more wins to break the record, keep it up!” Others hoped, “He can find his rhythm and attacking touch in the semifinals.”

In the semifinals, Djokovic will face qualifier dark horse Vachero, who has surprised many by defeating several top-ranked players in this tournament. Looking ahead, Djokovic needs to maintain strong defense while improving his attacking efficiency to move closer to a record-breaking 41st Masters title.

Tennis legends and commentators also shared their views on the match. Former world No.1 Becker wrote on social media: “Djokovic proves greatness is not only about winning but also about finding ways when things don’t go your way.” American tennis star Roddick commented: “Goffin has potential, but Djokovic’s court IQ is unmatched—that’s what makes a legend.” These opinions further confirm the resilience and value Djokovic displayed in this match.(Source: Tennis Home; Author: Lu Xiaotian)