By Chris Oddo | Friday September 30, 2016

 

Jankov Tipsarevic reached an ATP semifinal for the first time in over three years with a win over Malek Jaziri in Shenzhen Photo Source: Tennis TV.

It has been a long, difficult slog back to top-flight tennis for Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic, and the former world No. 8 is by no means all the way back, but for the first time since returning from a spate of injuries that knocked him from the top of the game in 2013, the 32-year-old is showing signs of his old self.

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The Serb, who was knocked out of the game with persistent foot injuries that eventually resulted in two surgeries to remove benign tumors, also developed knee problems in 2015. But a new fitness trainer and a new lease on life have helped the former star regain the movement that is so critical to his patient, methodical approach to the game.

At this year’s U.S. Open Tipsarevic said he was working with Dusch Covilic, who is a professor of biomechanics, to shore up his movement. He says he has been injury-free for quite some time and is finally getting the quickness back in his game.

Tipsarevic defeated Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri, 7-6(6), 6-2 on Friday at the Shzenzhen Open to reach an ATP semifinal for the first time since 2013.

Tipsarevic hit 13 aces and saved all three break points he faced to defeat the World No. 55 in one hour and 56 minutes.

The Serb, who credits a title at the Qingdao Challenger in China this summer as providing him with the confidence to start winning again at the ATP-level, won his first Grand Slam match in three years when he defeated Sam Querrey at this year’s U.S. Open. He has only won nine matches since 2013 on tour, but six of them have come since June of this year.

On Saturday in Shenzhen Tipsarevic will face Richard Gasquet in the semifinals. He will try to reach a first final since he reached his 13th ATP final in the first week of the 2013 season.

Gasquet moved past qualifier Mischa Zverev in straight sets to book his second semifinal appearance of the season. The World No. 18 has been hampered by back and rib injuries in 2016, but he looked very strong against Zverev, striking the ball with zip and using the angles of the court to open up opportunities and put Zverev on the run.

Gasquet owns a 3-0 lifetime edge over Tipsarevic, but the pair have not met since the 2012 Australian Open.

Top-seeded Tomas Berdych also moved into the semifinals on Friday in Shenzhen. The World No. 9 defeated compatriot Jiri Vesely, 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-2, and will face Thomaz Bellucci next. Bellucci eased past Bernard Tomic, 6-2, 6-2.