Reuters
Shanghai, Oct 15: Novak Djokovic sauntered past Spaniard Feliciano Lopez to reach the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters here Thursday but Andy Murray and Rafa Nadal had to overcome big-serving opponents to enter the last eight stage.
Dominant World No.1 Djokovic, twice a champion here, eased to a 6-2, 6-3 victory to stay on track for a ninth title of the year having picked up his eighth last week in Beijing. The Serb, who could face Murray in the semifinals, looks unbeatable, but warned there is still room for improvement.
“I still believe there are shots in my game that can be better. I think that’s one of the things that keeps me going. It motivates me to play more,” Djokovic said.
Murray, playing his first tournament since helping Britain into the Davis Cup final last month, had to produce some of his best tennis in the face of 22 John Isner aces.
The 28-year-old World No.2 finally preserved his perfect record against the American, winning 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-4. He managed a crucial break of serve at 5-4 in the second set and broke a tiring opponent in the seventh game of the final set on his way to victory.
“His (Isner) serve is tough to read, obviously,” Murray said. “It’s hard to return in perfect conditions. So when the ball is coming in and out of the shade, it’s difficult.”
While Djokovic is beyond his reach in the rankings this year, Murray believes he can have a tilt at top spot next year. “Obviously this year I have a good chance to finish at No. 2, which would be the first time for me,” he said. “I will definitely gun for the top spot next year.”
In the quarterfinals, Murray will meet fifth seed Tomas Berdych, who eased past Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-3 6-3.
Nadal, seeded eighth here, continued his resurgence that saw him reach the Beijing final, moving through to a quarterfinal clash with Stanislas Wawrinka.
Nadal beat Canada’s Milos Raonic 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) while Swiss Wawrinka battled past Marin Cilic 7-5, 6-7 (7-9), 6-4 after an almost three hour slugfest.
Japan’s Kei Nishikori, the sixth seed, was beaten 6-7 (10-12), 6-7 (3-7) by South Africa’s Kevin Anderson who will face Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga next after the latter beat Roger Federer’s Spanish conqueror Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-4.
