Shanghai
Djokovic saves points to deny a brave Michelsen in Shanghai
The Serbian wins the second match since the US Open
October 05, 2024
AFP/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic is chasing his first ATP Masters 1000 title of the year in Shanghai.
By ATP staff
Novak Djokovic began his quest for a 100th title on Saturday after overcoming a rough start to defeat Alex Michelsen 7-6(3), 7-6(9) in a tense second round match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
Returning to China’s business and financial hub for the first time in five years, and playing his second match since the US Open, 37-year-old Djokovic was thoroughly tested by America’s #NextGenATP, holding two points in the decider. – a break.
“It was the first match against Alex and I had not played for a while, so it took me a little time to get rid of the rust,” said Djokovic, who boasts of winning 35 matches in Shanghai. terribly; Big serves up an aggressive style of tennis… he’s not afraid to take it to his opponent.
“It was a very close encounter and I thought the level of tennis was high in both sets. I’m happy to be calm when it matters in the second break.”
Still wearing a protective sleeve over his right knee, where he underwent meniscus surgery, Djokovic will next play a 28-point winner.th-seed Flavio Cobolli or long-time rival Stan Wawrinka.
Djokovic has won just four points in the first three games against the #NextGenATP American, who raced to a 4-1 lead in the first of these teams’ Lexus ATP Head2Head.
Contributing 16 of her first 18 in the match and always at the net, the confident Michelsen played with aggressive intent and looked comfortable trading baselines with the four-time Shanghai champion. But when the 20-year-old struggled to serve his first match in the seventh game, Djokovic fought back to take the set in an 11-set win.th 15-match break played this season.
Like Michelsen at the start, Djokovic led 4-1 in the second to allow his opponent to get back to 4-all. But the Serbian held his own in the final break after saving points at 7/8 and 8/9 to seal the win after one hour and 55 minutes.
“I was up 4-1, 15/40 and then he hit the rope that went past. It was about 6-1 for me in the second,” said Djokovic. “But at this rate, things can change very quickly.
“I’m happy to be challenged by a young player and look forward to the next one.”
In the senior match, Djokovic hit 34 winners and 23 unforced errors, while Michelsen saw 30 winners and 19 unforced errors according to Infosys ATP Stats.
Novak Djokovic, you must play 🤯@DjokerNole | @SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/u2mJE0RrUY
– ATP Tour (@atptour) October 5, 2024
Djokovic is the only player in history (since 1990) to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles, a feat he has achieved twice en route to his 40th career record at this level. He is yet to reach the finals of this year’s series.
Djokovic last year won the Masters 1000 titles in Cincinnati and Paris, and collected his eighth Nitto ATP Finals title. But in 2024 he won only one title, the Paris Olympics, as his inevitable march towards 100 career titles was delayed.
Improving to 33-8 on the season, Djokovic was playing his second match since losing to Alexei Popyrin in the third round at the US Open. The victory saw Djokovic move past the injured Alex de Minaur into eighth place in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin and move into the cut-off for the Nitto ATP Finals (10-17 November).
Michelsen, who is ranked third in the PIF ATP Live Race to Jeddah, is ranked 43rd after reaching the quarter-finals in Tokyo last week, where he upset Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round after winning.
