Novak Djokovic – “Denis Shapovalov Has Played Impressive Tennis”

World Number one tennis player, Novak Djokovic makes it to his 50th ATP Masters 1000 final and sets up a semifinal clash against the young Candian, Denis Shapovalov at Rolex Paris Masters 2019. Ahead of their championship clash in Paris Bercy, the Serb commended Shapovalov’s tennis throughout this season.

“Denis has played some impressive tennis, yesterday especially against Monfils. I’m looking forward to the final. Hopefully, I will be able to get the best out of myself tomorrow,” the Serb added. In his Friday’s match against Gael Monfils, Shapovalov came up with back to back winners and steamrolled over the crowd’s favorite, Monfils. Previously, at US Open 2019, the duo played a taxing third-round match. 

“I think he has reduced his unforced errors. His game has always been there and, especially this year, he’s improved even more,” said Novak Djokovic. In Stockholm last month, Shapovalov lifted up his first career title and after a loss in Vienna, the young Candian reached the finals in Paris.

This year, he made a deep run at the Miami Masters and fell to the eventual champion, Roger Federer in the semi-finals. 

After defeating the revived face of ATP, Grigor Dimitrov, Djokovic was wax lyrical about the Bulgarian. Dimitrov played some competitive tennis and slipped the chances to seize the opening set in the semifinals of Bercy.

“He was probably the better player in the tie-break,” Djokovic referred to the first set tiebreak of the semifinals of Rolex Paris Masters 2019. “With Grigor up 5/3 and 5/4, serving twice, I managed to get returns into play and just make him play an extra shot.”

The two men carried out a phenomenal 35-shot rally in the tiebreaker and Grigor Dimitrov missed the chances for a set point after placing a drive volley into the tramlines for a 6-6 (5-5) scoreline.

“We both really understood the importance of clinching the first set so we could feel a bit more relaxed in the second and start swinging through,” Novak Djokovic added.

With this victory, Djokovic is unbeaten at the Paris Masters semi-finals and extended his record to six matches. He is the unrivaled king of Bercy, having won this tournament four times and reached the finals six times. The ‘Golden Master’ of the ATP Tour, Djokovic will be in the quest of his 34th ATP Masters 1000 title on Sunday.