Will not burn Novak Djokovic. He hasn’t won any Grand Slam titles this season, but at 37 years old he’s keeping the competitive spirit alive. Soon to be the only survivor of the ‘Big 3’, he continues to make this label great with his perseverance. And the victories after overcoming meniscus surgery right in the middle of Roland Garros.
The Olympic champion, a gold in itself rewards a complete campaign, because it is the great dream that came true for the last time, rebelling against a new setback and again aiming for relevant victories after defeating the American Taylor Fritz 26 years old and No. 7, 6-4 and 7-6 (6) in 1h.56′ in the semifinals of the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000.
Djokovic asked the physiotherapist for help at 5-6 in the second set. The trainer intensively massages the lumbar area, on the left side. Balkan complained for a week about his left shoulder and knee, when he underwent surgery on the right. At times alarm bells rang with ‘Nole’, who seemed to struggle to support his left leg normally.
It was 2-4 and 3-5 in the tiebreak. He saved one set ball, the rest, with 5-6. He circled slightly around, avoiding any further trouble.
Four-time champion of the tournament (2012-13, 2015 and 2018), hurt by another physical illness, the last accident in the semifinal, but he will challenge the Italian Jannick Sinner, which is mathematically proclaimed world No. 1 in the final of 2024, defeating the executioner of Carlos Alcaraz in quarters. Consistently, the Czech was surpassed Tomas Macac by 6-4 and 7-5.
There is no conflict Sinner-Alcaraz in the ‘semies’, but there will be a great final because one of them will be together this Sunday (10:30 am) on the court with Novak Djokovic, who is chasing his 100th title and adding another small record in his history. He has 409 Masters 1000 ATP victories, one of 410 of Rafael Nadal which he has already surpassed in the number of crowns in this category, 40 to 36.
Djokovic feels comfortable facing Fritz, whom he has beaten for the tenth time. Serbian plenary session against the recent US Open finalist. With a break he was enough in the first set, his best asset is a very high level of serve. He only got two breaking balls, he saved it. He got 1 out of 9 in his favor The enemy fought, he suffered, but he achieved his goal.
He sees more struggles against Sinner, whom he leads with a 4-3 record, but has lost three of his last four matches, the last two. They did not meet again when the transalpine defeated the Serbian in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6) and 6-2.
Without Alcaraz, the ATP 500 champion in Beijing, Sinner has no chance of revenge, but he will once again face the leader of this sport’s golden generation.
Roger FedereVisited Shanghai to play an exhibition doubles match, Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from the Davis Cup. ‘Nole’ continues with the idea of joining the Sinner-Alcaraz fight.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
