Novak Djokovic Loses Cool in Tense Encounter Against Alex Michelsen at Shanghai Masters 2024
Novak Djokovic showed his tenacity in a nail-biting second-round encounter at the 2024 Shanghai Masters.
He overcame a sluggish start and a heated spat with the umpire to upset Alex Michelsen 7-6(3), 7-6(9). With this win, the Serbian player gets one step closer to winning 100 titles in his career.
In addition to facing a test from the NextGen American, Novak Djokovic had to get over his feelings because the Serb had lost his composure after receiving a warning. In an exciting Shanghai Masters second-round match, Novak Djokovic defeated Alex Michelsen 7-6(3), 7-6(9), overturning a slow start and moving one game closer to a century of career victories. Along the way to victory, Djokovic had to face more than just the NextGen American’s test of mettle; the 37-year-old had lost his composure after receiving a warning.
The event occurred in the second set of the match when the world No. 4 served with a 15–30 deficit and ran out of shot time, earning a time violation. Disappointed with the call, Djokovic swatted the ball away and confronted chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani, raising doubts about his assessment. “Man, why do you do this? “Man, why do you do this?” he questioned.
The automatic shot clock used by Shanghai Masters, which starts three seconds after the preceding shot ends and gives players only 25 seconds to serve, was swiftly brought to his attention by the umpire. As a result, the umpire is powerless to postpone the start of the clock because of loud spectators or after a protracted rally.
Commentator Nick Lester said after the event that the umpire felt awful about giving Djokovic the warning. “It seemed like he didn’t want to do it,” he remarked. There was Mohamed Lahyani, and he whispered that. He was aware of what was about to happen.”
Responding, fellow commentator Arvind Palmer said, “It’s not perfect, is it? But it’s following the guidelines. The fact that the regulations aren’t always followed is half the issue. begins automatically and lasts for more than 25 [seconds]. What should you do?
But Djokovic recovered fast, serving an ace before holding the serve. and then fought back once more when Michelsen had two set points in the tie-break that decided the match later in the set.
“It took me a little time to get the rust off because it was my first match against Alex and I hadn’t played in a while,” admitted Djokovic, who holds a record 35 match victories in Shanghai. “He got off to a great start; he plays aggressive tennis and makes big serves. He’s not afraid to step up and take his opponent on.”
“I thought there was excellent tennis in both sets, and it was a very close match. I’m just happy that I maintained composure during the crucial second-set tie-break.
Still with a protective wrap on his right knee, Djokovic will next take on the victor of Flavio Cobolli’s match against former Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, who is ranked 28th.
