Djoker fights back to enter semis

Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz advanced to a semifinal matchup at the Shanghai Masters. Four-time champion Djokovic fought back from a set down to beat Czech player Jakub Mensik 6-7(4) 6-1 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

Mensik, ranked 65th, had 17 aces, but he also made six double-faults and 32 unforced errors. It was their first career meeting. “We went toe-to-toe till the last moment. I was fortunate to really find great serves in the last game, a couple of aces,” Djokovic said.

“Jakub is somebody that I’ve been following the last three, four years... We trained at my tennis centre in Belgrade and in Montenegro as well. I could see today why he’s one of the best servers we have in the game. He’s only 19, so I think the future is very bright for him,” he added.

Fritz reached his fifth Masters semifinal with a straightforward 6-3 6-4 victory over David Goffin of Belgium. The 26-year-old American was in control throughout the 82-minute encounter and converted three of his seven break points. Djokovic has won all nine matches he has played against Fritz.

Sabalenka vs Coco

Aryna Sabalenka served up a master class to beat Magdalena Frech of Poland 6-2 6-2 and maintain her undefeated record at the Wuhan Open.

The Belarussian fired 42 winners, and wrapped up her latest victory in 1 hour, 23 minutes to advance to her eighth semifinal of the year where she’ll meet fourth-ranked Coco Gauff. Gauff’s impressive Asian swing showed no signs of ending as she routed Poland’s Magda Linette 6-0 6-4 for her 50th win of the season.