Shanghai Masters 2024: Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (4) Novak Djokovic vs (7) Taylor Fritz
Date: 12 October, 2024
Tournament: Shanghai Masters 2024
Round: Semi-final
Venue: Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Shanghai, China
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hard-court (Outdoor)
Prize Money: $8,995,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN | India - Sony
Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz preview
Fourth seed Novak Djokovic will continue his pursuit of a fifth Shanghai Masters title against seventh seed Taylor Fritz in a blockbuster semifinals clash on Saturday, October 12.
Djokovic began his campaign with a nervy 7-6 (3), 7-6 (9) victory over Alex Michelsen in the second round, following a first-round bye. He quickly regained his dominant form in the subsquent round, brushing aside Flavpio Cobolli 6-1, 6-2. Building on that momentum, he delivered another commanding performance in the fourth round, dispatching Roman Safiullin 6-3, 6-2.
His first real challenge came in the quarterfinals against Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, who took the opening set in a tense tiebreak. He, however, responded in style, cruising through the second set courtesy of two breaks of serve. The decider was a case of experience, with Djokovic's shining through. He secured a crucial break in the fifth game and held his serve comfortably to win 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-4.
Fritz, on the other hand, has been in imperious form at the Shanghai Masters, advancing to the semifinals without dropping a set. After a first-round bye, he edged past Terence Atmane 7-6(4), 7-6(5) in a tight second-round contest. He followed that up with a solid 6-3, 6-4 win over Yosuke Watanuki in the third round. Fritz then delivered arguably his best performance of the year in the fourth round, crushing 12th seed Holger Rune 6-1, 6-2 in just 55 minutes.
In the quarterfinals, Fritz started strong against Belgian veteran David Goffin, breaking in the first game. Although Goffin responded with a blistering backhand to break back, Fritz immediately regained the advantage with another break and went on to take the first set. The second set was more one-sided, as Fritz outplayed Goffin in every department, sealing an emphatic 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz head-to-head
Novak Djokovic leads Taylor Fritz 9-0 in their head-to-head matchups and won their previous encounter 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open earlier this year.
Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz odds
(Odds will be added once available)
Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz prediction
Novak Djokovic has been in solid form at the Shanghai Masters, though he faced a tough test in his last match. He's slowly been getting back to his best on serve while his basline play has been at it's usual best. Taylor Fritz, on the other hand, has been in scintillating form, continuing the momentum from his strong showing in New York. Fritz has been dominant on serve and return, and has shown confidence at the net.
Despite playing fewer matches this season, Djokovic enters the semifinal with a slightly better win percentage, boasting a 36-8 record compared to Fritz's 49-19. On hard courts, Djokovic holds a superior 15-4 record, while Fritz stands at 24-10. Fritz, however, has claimed a title on the surface this year and has been slightly more consistent in Masters events.
Djokovic will be the favorite heading into the semifinal, given his superior experience, strong record in Shanghai, and an unbeaten head-to-head record against Fritz. The American though is playing some of the best tennis of his career, setting the stage for a closely contested match.
Pick: Djokovic to win in in three sets.