Paris (AFP)
Stefanos Tsitsipas, 7th in the world, made a surprise by eliminating Novako Novok Djokovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 on Friday in the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters 1000, with the Serbian title holder.
Tsitsipas, already a finalist last week at the Beijing ATP 500, will face Daniil Medvedev (4th) on Saturday for a place in the final in Shanghai.
After the quick loss of the first set, the 21-year-old was much tougher in the second set, pushing the Serb to commit more and more mistakes and to doubt until losing his throw and the second set.
In the last, the Djoker, defending champion in Shanghai and quadruple winner of the tournament, lost his service in the fourth game to be led 3-1 and Tsitsipas has never loosened his embrace.
Djokovic, who defends his world throne threatened by Rafael Nadal at the end of the season, remained until then on seven matches won without losing any round, including the five that allowed him to win the Tokyo ATP 500 last week. .
He had not played since his retirement in the round of 16 at the US Open because of a pain in his left shoulder.
In addition to this victory against the world N.1, which is added to those obtained this year against Rafael Nadal (in the semi-finals in Madrid) and Roger Federer (in 8th at the Australian Open), Tsitsipas will be able to celebrate his qualification for his first London Masters (10-17 November) which bring together the 8 best players of the season.
Tsitsipas is the sixth player qualified for the Masters after Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Daniil Medvedev and Dominic Thiem.
© 2019 AFP