Reigning US Open champion Novak Djokovic continued his quest to end the season at the top of the ATP Emirates rankings with a 7-6(1), 6-3, win over Kevin Anderson at the Shanghai Masters.
The second seed produced a solid all-round performance against the fast-serving Anderson, who fired a total of 16 aces during the match. At the start, there was little to tell between both players as they stood firm behind their service games. That was until a clinical display from Djokovic in the tiebreaker prompted him to stroll towards the finish line. Breaking Anderson for a 3-0 lead at the start of the second set on route to sealing victory.
“We haven’t played for more than two years. He’s established himself as a top player, big serve. I’m going to try to see what I did well, what I can do better. I’m looking forward to it.” Said Djokovic, who now leads Anderson 7-1 in their head-to-head.
Djokovic, who is one of only three players to have won the Shanghai title on multiple occasions, continued the trend he set this week of impressive service games. Against Anderson, he won 85% of the points behind his first serve. Djokovic also produced 24 winners to 17 unforced errors.
As a result of his latest victory, Djokovic is on the verge of overtaking Roger Federer to jump to second in the world rankings. He will do so should he win his semi-final clash on Saturday. Earlier this year Djokovic dropped to as low as 22nd in the world following his six-month hiatus due to an elbow injury. He has rapidly raised back to the top due to a stellar second part of the season. Winning 25 out of his past 26 matches, including seven consecutive triumphs over top 10 players.
Zverev next
Despite Djokovic’s impressive form, he faces a tough test in the shape of Alexander Zverev next. Zverev, who has already won three Masters titles under the age of 21, defeated Kyle Edmund 6-4, 6-4, in his quarter-final match. The world No.5 remained unbroken throughout his encounter with the Brit as he hit 23 winners to 12 unforced errors.
“From start to finish, it was a good match from me. Obviously Kyle is somebody who is in very good form right now.” Zverev told atpworldtour.com.
“I’m very pleased to reach my first semi-final in Shanghai.” He added.
Like Djokovic, Zverev’s latest win is also a significant one. He has now secured automatic qualification for the ATP World Tour Finals for the second year in a row. Djokovic, Federer, Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro have already qualified for the end-of-season event. Zverev also leads the tour with the most wins this year at 49.
“This is very special for me. Qualifying for the second year in a row. Winning the most matches in also special for me, but I don’t want to stop here.” He said. “There is a lot more tennis going on until the end of the year.”
The upcoming clash will be only the second meeting on the tour between the two players and the first on a hard court. At the 2017 Italian Open Zverev stunned Djokovic to win his first Masters title.
Should Djokovic end up winning this week’s Shanghai Masters, he would just be 215 points adrift from Rafael Nadal’s world No.1 position.
