Shanghai Master: Novak Djokovic fights with injury and reaches the quarterfinals
Novak Djokovic overcomes damage issues and stuffy heat as he continues to win his fifth Shanghai Masters title.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion appears to have struggled with an ankle injury and has repeatedly called on coaches to receive treatment, but persisted in winning 6-3 5-7 6-2.
Djokovic vomited on Sunday in the last round of defeating Yannick Hanfmann, which was above 30c and 80% humidity.
Djokovic broke into the first set 3-1 and had a medical timeout while receiving treatment for his left ankle.
After the merger break, he called on the coach again before wrapping up the opening game.
The Serb continued to struggle and grab his ankle, but he managed to keep pace with Munar until the Spaniard defeated the decisive blow 5-4, bringing the game to the decisive player, while Djokovic was in trouble after a long rally.
The trainer was quickly taken care of by the trainer before checking his blood pressure.
But despite not appearing to be energy-free, Djokovic returned to the court and broke Munal’s serve for the first time in the third set inquiry.
The fifth-place world leads 5-2 again, and then ends the victory in two hours and 41 minutes.
Djokovic will face quarter-final Ziziou Bergs, who beat No. 31 seed Gabriel Diallo from behind 3-6 7-5 7-6 (10-8).
The tenth seed Holger Rune won the quarterfinals with a 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 defeat of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Afterwards, Rune called for an ATP Tour to introduce a heating rule similar to the one used by the Grand Slam.
“It’s cruel when you have more than 80% humidity day after day, especially for those who play on the heat during the day, the sun is even more cruel,” he said.
