Zizou Bergs reached his first Masters 1000 quarter-final in Shanghai. As a reward, the Belgian got a chance to play against his idol, Novak Djokovic, who beat him 6-3, 7-5 in an hour and 50 minutes.
Zizou fought well and kept the legend on the court for nearly two hours. However, he could not take at least a set. After the duel, Bergs admitted he respected his idol too much, lacking experience in the encounters like this.
The Belgian will try to change that in the future, although he played at a decent level, hitting more winners than the veteran but spraying too many mistakes.
Le point improbable 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 point.
Sanction immédiate derrière avec le break de Nole.pic.twitter.com/HnXZdLmIz0
— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) October 9, 2025
Djokovic saved four of five break points after a solid serving performance and provided three breaks from nine opportunities. The Belgian hit 25 winners and 40 unforced errors, while the Serb opted for a more reduced pace.
Novak outplayed his rival in service winners and from the baseline, forging his win in the shortest exchanges up to four strokes. Djokovic delivered the first break of the match in the sixth game after Bergs' loose smash.
The Serb saved three break points in the next one and held to extend the lead. Zizou denied five set points at 2-5 and held to extend the set. However, Novak landed a service winner at 5-3 and wrapped up the first part of the match in 48 minutes.
Zizou Bergs, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
The second set kicked off with eight fine holds, with Bergs staying in touch with his idol. The veteran held at 3-4 with an ace and stepped in on the return in the next one.
He provided a break at 15 and served for the win at 5-4. Bergs refused to surrender and pulled the break back with a couple of winners, locking the result at 5-5 and extending his chances.
Djokovic kept his composure and grabbed a marvelous point at 30-30 in the 11th game for a break chance. He welcomed Bergs' wild forehand to secure another break and open a 6-5 gap.
Zizou Bergs & Novak Djokovic, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
Novak served for the win in the 12th game and generated two match points. He wasted them and faced a break point after Zizou's forehand crosscourt winner. The Serb saved it with a service winner.
He seized the third match point after the Belgian's forehand error, moving over the top and sending his rival packing.
"The match against Novak will make me grow. It's not easy to play against someone like him, as I have little experience in those encounters. I grew up watching Novak, and he is my idol.
That's why it was hard to compete at my best against him. I have to change that in the future, as I was a bit too respectful at times today," Zizou Bergs said.
