Djokovic Sharp In Shanghai Opener, Takes On Isner Thurs; Federer v Goffin

by Staff | October 9th, 2019, 5:45 pm
  • 5 Comments

Following his first Tokyo title Sunday, Novak Djokovic kept things rolling in his opener in Shanghai cruising past Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-3 to win his sixth straight match and 12th straight set.

“It’s nice to be back. And also, it feels very good to play as well as I did today,” Djokovic said. “I knew that Denis is very dangerous player. If he has time, if he’s feeling the ball well, it can be a tough match.

“He was serving really well, high percentage also first serves, and just really difficult to return in the first set, so it took me a little bit of time to really adjust, start reading his serve a little bit better.”


The 4-time Shanghai champion returns Thursday to take on John Isner next in the third round. Djokovic leads 9-2 over the American, winning their last six.

Isner advanced with a victory over Lucas Pouille.

Also, Stefanos Tsitsipas earned his first win of any kind over Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(3), 7-6(3).

“I knew it’s going to be tough, and it was very tough,” said Tsitsipas. “I think, mostly, the concentration that I have put and the work that I have put into that match, I still felt like I had to put a lot in order to get that outcome at the end.”

The Greek now gets Hubert Hurkacz next.

David Goffin advanced to a meeting with Roger Federer after Mikhail Kukushkin retired down 6-3, 2-0.

Young Americans Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka both lost to seeds Karen Khachanov and Roberto Bautista Agut, respectively. And Alexander Zverev got through Jeremy Chardy 7-6(13), 7-6(3). The German saved three set points in the first set breaker. He’ll now face Andrey Rublev.

THURSDAY SHANGHAI SCHEDULE
3rd Rd 3 Daniil Medvedev v (Q) Vasek Pospisil
Not Before 2:00 Pm
3rd Rd 1 Novak Djokovic v 16 John Isner
Not Before 6:30 Pm
3rd Rd 13 David Goffin v 2 Roger Federer
3rd Rd 5 Alexander Zverev v Andrey Rublev


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Shanghai Masters Draw: Djokovic, Federer, Murray, Nishikori In Loaded Top Half
ATP Race To London: Thiem, Berdych, Goffin Cilic, Bautista Agut Fighting For Final Spot
Roger Federer Rolls In Basel Opener; Rafael Nadal v Grigor Dimitrov Wednesday
Opelka Eliminates Kyrgios in Toronto; Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Isner Tuesday

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5 Comments for Djokovic Sharp In Shanghai Opener, Takes On Isner Thurs; Federer v Goffin

Daniel Says:

Djoko on a 7 match win streak, and no sets loss. From now nmore dificult matches: Tisis, Medveded Semis and Federer/Thiem/Zverev finals. But he looks great.

Federer did an escape act today, Goffin was better for most fo 1st set. Courts are playing fast tough.


Andy Mira Says:

Yeah…Nole really looks scary good & very determined…And we know this type of look before & the outcome of it….and from the lot,i think the only one who can challenge Nole is Medvedev…he’s strong mentally & physically to do that…

Maybe Thiem too…But,let’s see…


chrisford1 Says:

I think the changeout from the Big 4’s utter domination to “win a few, lose a few – regarding the new guys” has started.
The days of looking past the field of mutts to see who Federer would get in the semis – Murray? before he played the winner of Rafa vs. Novak are gone.
Daniel may be having the same thoughts as she lists the quality players Djokovic and Fed must get through to play in a Final.


Django Says:

CF
I agree. In two years it will be all over. Enjoy it while we can.


Daniel Says:

Yeah, they gave rookm for other picking some Masters along the way, but the big difference is that they (at leats Big 3) seems to be peaking right at Slams. Even Federer made RG semis this year after a few years not playing.

Nadal has his best and most consistant run in Slams since AO 2018: Title-Semis-Semis-Final-Title-Semis-Title.

Still don’t see neither of the 3 not winning AO 2020; nor Nadal or Djoko RG 2020. Not to mention Wimbledon, which is by far the most dominated by big 4 tourney since 2003.

To me, only after Olympics 2020 that their “farewell” begins.

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