Novak Djokovic explains what he had to neutralise in Taylor Fritz’s game to beat him at the Shanghai Masters
Novak Djokovic spoke on what he did to come through a stern test from Taylor Fritz at the Shanghai Masters.
The 37-year-old has now won all 10 of his matches against the American and has claimed all their Masters 1000 contests in straight sets.
Novak Djokovic is making the most of his time back in China after five years away and is just one match away from claiming a 100th ATP Tour title.
But he had to overcome Taylor Fritz who is in good form, as well some issues with his knee to reach yet another final in his illustrious career.
What did Novak Djokovic say about Taylor Fritz’s game?
Djokovic showed moments of brilliance against Fritz as he wowed the Shanghai Masters crowd with his excellent shotmaking, including three scorching winners in one game.
Fritz was on the back foot for most of the encounter, and when he did have two break points to go 5-3 ahead and serve for the second set, the Serbian denied him in typical fashion.
Djokovic also saved a set point at 5-6 in the second tiebreak, before winning three successive points to claim the victory and avoid a second set, which was important following Djokovic’s medical timeout before the tiebreak.
Post match the 24-time Grand Slam champion credited Fritz for his performance and was happy he came through in straight sets.
“At this stage of my career, I’m doing my best to recover and I had some issues here and there on the court, physically, yesterday and today. But I managed to overcome it,” Djokovic said on court.
“It was a stern test. Taylor is in form, playing probably the best tennis of his life coming off a Grand Slam final, and he’s playing really well, particularly on this surface.
“He’s serving big, so I knew it was going to be a big test for me. I did not want to get to a third set, and I’m just glad to get through in two.”
Novak Djokovic aims to become the third player to win 100 ATP titles
Djokovic claimed the Olympic gold medal in August to take his tally to 99 titles. Now he needs just one more title to reach a century of championships, but Jannik Sinner is standing in his way.
The World number one is aiming for his seventh title of the season and will try to beat Djokovic for the fourth time in five meetings.
But Djokovic has enjoyed plenty of success in China and he will aim to draw on that experience to help him against Sinner in their second meeting in a final.
“I came to Shanghai after five years of not playing in China, the place where I’ve always had great success, both in Shanghai and Beijing,” he added.
“[I’ve won] many titles, had great battles and great performances. I’ve said it many times, the support that I get here is tremendous and I’m very grateful.
“That creates an energy that keeps me going, keeps me running, so I did come here definitely with a vision and a desire to get to the final and fight for a 100th title. I get that chance against the best player in the world, and let’s see what happens.”
