SHANGHAI – Novak Djokovic earned a relatively easy win for a change at the Shanghai Masters as he defeated unseeded Zizou Bergs 6-3, 7-5 on Thursday to reach the semifinals, where he will face No. 204-ranked qualifier Valentin Vacherot of Monaco.
The 38-year-old Djokovic has struggled in the hot and humid conditions in Shanghai. He vomited during previous matches and required medical attention when he collapsed to the ground exhausted after being taken to a third set by Jaume Munar in the previous round.
The only major problem against Bergs was broken when he led 5-4 in the second set, before finally converting his third match point.
“I should have finished the match at 5-4,” Djokovic said. “It’s very challenging conditions for all the players these days, and I was just trying to stay alive on the field. I’m glad I was able to overcome this hurdle.”
It was the first meeting between Djokovic and Bergs.
“Man, I have to stop idolizing you,” Bergs said with a smile before the 26-year-old Belgian hugged Djokovic at the net.
Vacherot defeated 10th-seeded Holger Rune 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 to become the second-lowest seeded semifinalist in Masters 1000 events in the past 35 years, according to the ATP.
“This is just unbelievable,” Vacherot said in an on-court interview. “I didn’t come as a qualifier, I came as an alternate. I wasn’t even sure if I would play the qualifier.”
Vacherot took the win when Rune scored a serve return and then fell to his knees on the baseline with both hands to his face against the court. Rune struggled with mobility in the third set due to leg cramps.
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