Djokovic Looks To Claim Successive Shanghai Titles

Novak Djokovic has made it through to the third round of the Shanghai Masters as the Serb looks to secure back-to-back tournaments after continuing his unbeaten run at the China Open to claim his fifth title in Beijing. A comfortable 6-0, 6-2 victory over 2011 winner Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in Sunday`s final saw the 27 year old make it 24 games without a loss in the Chinese capital. The triumph also saw the world number one equal Michael Chang`s record of successive competition wins, both men having lifted the trophy three times in as many years. Similarly, Djokovic has won the Shanghai Masters twice in a row in 2012 and 2013 and is 4/9 (Betvictor) to complete the hat-trick this time round.

The seven-time Grand Slam winner saw off Austria`s Dominic Thiem, the youngest player in the ATP`s Top 50, in the second round in Shanghai as he followed his self-proclaimed greatest ever final performance in style. Nobody could deny Thiem`s enthusiasm though it took the Belgrade-born star just 88 minutes to defeat the 21 year old in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Djokovic matched the feisty`s youngster passion with grit and determination, as he picked up 76 per cent of his service points whilst saving the two break points he faced. Both these break points occurring in the second set.

Speaking after match, the Monte Carlo resident had nothing but praise for the Austrian who had previously halted Lukas Rosol in the first round (4-6, 6-7 (3-7)).

`I had to be on alert from the start because he was serving already at 215 kilometres per hour in the first service game,` The Boris Becker-trained Serb told the ATP`s official website. `He was serving big, playing big. He`s definitely right up there as one of the most talented players. He`s got the power. Some shots today that he was playing were incredible. Backhands down the line.

`He was going for it. I don`t blame him.`

Djokovic will now face Mikhail Kukushkin in the next stage. The 26-year-old Kazakhstani dispatched the experienced Spaniard Tommy Robredo in a closely fought clash that finished 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4-7) before putting 16th seed Kevin Anderson to the sword. Kukushkin recorded a 6-4, 6-2 win over the South African though it would be a tremendous surprise should the unseeded athlete turn over Djokovic in their last sixteen encounter tomorrow (Thursday 8th October). The world number one is best priced 1/33 with william hill whilst an upset is 15/1 at 888sport. paddy Power are offering 4/1 on Russia-born Kukushkin taking a set with 11/2 (ladbrokes) the best price on the match being won over three.

Britain`s own Andy Murray has also made it to the third round of the competition, continuing his own impressive record in the tournament. The Scot lifted the trophy in both 2010 and 2011 beating Roger Federer and David Ferrer in successive finals. The latter being the 27-year-old`s opponent in the third round this time out. Murray is 1/4 with ladbrokes to secure a passage to the quarter finals whilst Ferrer can be backed at 10/3 with both bet365 and Skybet for the win.

Calling upon his varied quiver of shots, the three-time Shanghai hopeful brought down Teymuras Gabashvili 6-1 in the first set of the first round. The opening set taking all of 27 minutes to be decided. The Russian, however, rallied, breaking Murray twice to lead 4-2 in the second before the two-time Grand Slam winner`s experience prevailed and sealed the match 6-1, 7-5. Murray met Pole Jerzy Janowicz in the second round tie sealing a 7-5, 6-2 victory to boost his chances of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals.

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08/10/2014     © Frixo 2026