Novak Djokovic continued to grind his way in the ongoing Shanghai Masters as he bested Zizou Bergs 6-3, 7-5 to book his semi-final spot in China. With his win, the 38-year-old Serbian became the oldest semi-finalist in Masters 1000 history.

The Serbian will play his 80th ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. Djokovic admitted that the conditions in Shanghai have been really challenging but he was able to dig deep. Djokovic had thrown up twice against Spain’s Jaume Munar in the previous round in a three-set contest but registered a more comprehensive win against Bergs as he won in straight sets.

Djokovic was serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set but the German was able to get his first break of the match to drew level but the Serbian was able to bounce back strongly as he broke his opponent’s serve in the next game.

“I was just trying to stay alive to be honest on the court,” reflected Djokovic after his maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash with the 26-year-old Bergs. “My first encounter with Bergs. He’s a great guy. Obviously, a lot of firepower in his game. At times I just tried to play an extra ball in the court and make him miss the ball, and that’s what happened. I should have closed out the match at 5-4. He played a good game, again I was a little bit too passive.

“Very challenging conditions these days for all the players, and I was just trying to stay alive on the court. I’m glad to overcome this hurdle.”

Novak Djokovic will face Monaco’s qualifier Valentin Vacherot, who stunned World No.11 Holger Rune in the quarterfinal, in the semifinal on Saturday.