Fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic endured a grueling 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 win Tuesday against Spain’s Jaume Munar to reach the quarterfinals at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
Battling the humidity, the Serbian star threw up several times during the two-hour, 40-minute match and collapsed to the court after dropping the second set. He also took multiple medical timeouts for a leg issue and placed ice on his head to cool down during changeovers.
Djokovic, 38, gutted out the victory, taking control of the deciding set with a service break in the fourth game and advancing to face Belgium’s Zizou Bergs.
Djokovic, the highest-ranked player left in the draw at No. 5, is seeking his record-extending 41st ATP Masters 1000 title and first since Paris in 2023. The 24-time Grand Slam winner now has reached the quarterfinals in all 11 of his appearances in Shanghai.
Bergs came from behind to win a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8) thriller against 31st-seeded Gabriel Diallo of Canada in two hours and 49 minutes.
Bergs became the fifth Belgian to reach the last eight at a Masters 1000 event and the second in Shanghai, joining David Goffin (2016, 2024).
“It means a lot and you probably saw it in my reaction,” said Bergs, who fell to the ground after the win. “It’s quite amazing and I feel like my trajectory is a little different, the speed of my path is different. I’m 26 and I’m reaching continuously my career high. I know it’s not going to be only ups, and I’ve had my downs as well this year, but I’m really curious to see where my potential’s going to bring me.”
No. 10 seed Holger Rune of Denmark also went the distance for a 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-3 victory over No. 32 seed Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in two hours and 29 minutes.
Rune won only 27 percent of the points (17 of 63) on the Frenchman’s serve, but that included crucial early service breaks in the first and third sets.
“I managed to break him twice. He was serving very well today,” Rune said. “He also showed his level against (Taylor) Fritz, he is a tough player to beat on this surface. The conditions were a bit better to play in today. I am very happy with my mindset today. I stayed in there every point and I was a bit frustrated I lost the second set, but I came back and was determined for the third set and managed to hold my nerve.”
Up next for Rune is qualifier Valentin Vacherot of Monaco, who fired 13 aces and rallied for a 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 win against No. 27 seed Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands.
–Field Level Media
