SHANGHAI -- Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz advanced to a semifinal matchup at the Shanghai Masters on Friday.
Four-time champion Djokovic fought back from a set down to beat Czech player Jakub Mensik 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
Mensik, ranked 65th, won a first-set tiebreaker, but the 24-time Grand Slam winner hit right back by dominating the second set.
Mensik had 17 aces, but he also made six double-faults and 32 unforced errors. It was their first career meeting.
Fritz, 26, earlier reached his fifth Masters semifinal with a straightforward 6-3, 6-4 victory over David Goffin of Belgium.
The American was in control throughout the 82-minute encounter and converted three of his seven break points.
"I feel like sometimes it takes a couple of matches to find my routines, to find what feels good and what is working for me," Fritz said. "I feel like once I get past the first two rounds, I feel very locked in. I've come this far already, so I might as well really dial it in, and I'm just enjoying being here."
Djokovic has won all nine matches he has played against Fritz.
In the other semifinal on Saturday, top-ranked Jannik Sinner will face Tomas Machac, who toppled second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.
