Zizou Bergs reached his first Masters 1000 quarter-final in Shanghai. As a reward, the Belgian bought an opportunity to play towards his idol, Novak Djokovic, who beat him 6-3, 7-5 in an hour and 50 minutes.
Zizou fought properly and saved the legend on the courtroom for practically two hours. Nonetheless, he couldn’t take at the very least a set. After the duel, Bergs admitted he revered his idol an excessive amount of, missing expertise within the encounters like this.
The Belgian will attempt to change that sooner or later, though he performed at an honest degree, hitting extra winners than the veteran however spraying too many errors.
Le level unbelievable gagné par Novak Djokovic contre Zizou Bergs. 😅
Le Belge a fait 4 smashs trop tendres ou décentrés et un coup droit de volée sans parvenir à finir le level.
Sanction immédiate derrière avec le break de Nole.pic.twitter.com/HnXZdLmIz0
— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) October 9, 2025
Djokovic saved 4 of 5 break factors after a stable serving efficiency and offered three breaks from 9 alternatives. The Belgian hit 25 winners and 40 unforced errors, whereas the Serb opted for a extra lowered tempo.
Novak outplayed his rival in service winners and from the baseline, forging his win within the shortest exchanges as much as 4 strokes. Djokovic delivered the primary break of the match within the sixth recreation after Bergs' free smash.
The Serb saved three break factors within the subsequent one and held to increase the lead. Zizou denied 5 set factors at 2-5 and held to increase the set. Nonetheless, Novak landed a service winner at 5-3 and wrapped up the primary a part of the match in 48 minutes.
Zizou Bergs, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
The second set kicked off with eight high quality holds, with Bergs staying in contact together with his idol. The veteran held at 3-4 with an ace and stepped in on the return within the subsequent one.
He offered a break at 15 and served for the win at 5-4. Bergs refused to give up and pulled the break again with a few winners, locking the consequence at 5-5 and increasing his probabilities.
Djokovic saved his composure and grabbed a fabulous level at 30-30 within the eleventh recreation for a break probability. He welcomed Bergs' wild forehand to safe one other break and open a 6-5 hole.
Zizou Bergs & Novak Djokovic, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
Novak served for the win within the twelfth recreation and generated two match factors. He wasted them and confronted a break level after Zizou's forehand crosscourt winner. The Serb saved it with a service winner.
He seized the third match level after the Belgian's forehand error, shifting excessive and sending his rival packing.
"The match towards Novak will make me develop. It's not simple to play towards somebody like him, as I’ve little expertise in these encounters. I grew up watching Novak, and he’s my idol.
That's why it was onerous to compete at my greatest towards him. I’ve to alter that sooner or later, as I used to be a bit too respectful at occasions as we speak," Zizou Bergs mentioned.
