SHANGHAI — Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz advanced to a semifinal matchup at the Shanghai Masters on Friday.
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, Mensik 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 until the last moment,'' Djokovic said.
''I stayed collected and started off very well in the second (set), I felt that we both had a physical crisis at the beginning of the set. We pushed each other a lot, a lot of long rallies. A tough battle, almost two and a half hours.''
While Djokovic reached a 77th Masters semifinal, Fritz will play his fifth Masters semifinal after a straightforward 6-3, 6-4 victory over David Goffin of Belgium.
The American was in control throughout and converted three of his seven break points.
''I feel like sometimes it takes a couple of matches to find my routines, to find what feels good and what is working for me,'' Fritz said. ''I feel like once I get past the first two rounds, I feel very locked in. I've come this far already, so I might as well really dial it in and I'm just enjoying being here.''
