Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz – Breakdown and Prediction

Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz: ATP Shanghai – Semifinal

Former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will take on Taylor Fritz in the semifinal of the ATP Shanghai.

Novak Djokovic Profile

Novak Djokovic, is currently fourth in the rankings after spending most of the past decade as the world No. 1. The Serbian is 36-8 for the season and 14-4 on a hard surface for the season.

Djokovic is coming off a 6-7, 6-1, 6-1 win over Jakub Mensik in the quarterfinal. Previously in the tournament, he defeated Roman Safiullin, Flavio Cobolli and Alex Michelsen.

Djokovic won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics and lost in the final of Wimbledon this season.

He has won the title in Shanghai four times, with the last one coming in 2018.

Taylor Fritz Profile

Taylor Fritz is seventh in the ATP rankings and his career high was No. 5 in the world. The American is 49-19 for the season and 19-9 on hard surface.

Fritz is coming off a 6-3, 6-4 win over David Goffin in the quarterfinal. Earlier in the tournament he defeated Holger Rune, Yosuke Watanuki and Terrence Atmane.

Fritz won the titles in Eastbourne and Delray Beach this season.

This is his best result in Shanghai in his sixth appearance.

Head-to-Head Djokovic leads 9-0

Djokovic vs Fritz 7-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 (2024 Australian Open, quarterfinal)
Djokovic vs Fritz 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 (2023 US Open, quarterfinal)
Djokovic vs Fritz 6-0, 6-4 (2023 ATP Cincinnati, quarterfinal)
Djokovic vs Fritz 7-6, 7-6 (2022 ATP Masters Cup, semifinal)
Djokovic vs Fritz 6-4, 6-3 (2021 ATP Paris Masters, quarterfinal)
Djokovic vs Fritz 6-3, 7-6 (2021 ATP Rome, second round)
Djokovic vs Fritz 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2 (2021 Australian Open, third round)
Djokovic vs Fritz 6-4, 6-2 (2019 ATP Madrid, second round)
Djokovic vs Fritz 6-3, 6-0 (2019 ATP Monte Carlo, round of 16)

Prediction and Conclusion

Novak Djokovic loves to play in Shanghai, where he is an absolute legend going for his fifth trophy. The Serbian is playing great this week and will face Taylor Fritz, whom he has beaten nine times before and barely lost any set. Fritz has had an excellent season, making it to the major semifinals for the first time in his career. Still, the American doesn’t seem ready to be a problem for Djokovic. Fritz may win a set, but at the end, Djokovic will be the one to move on to the final.