Shanghai Masters: Djokovic surges past Safiullin to reach last eight

Novak Djokovic pursuit for a record 100th career singles title continued this week in Shanghai after the Serbian progressed to the quarter finals on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old who is a record four-time champion in Shanghai and 99-time singles titlist, dug deep in a 6-3, 6-2 win against Roman Safiullin to reach the last eight of the Rolex Shanghai Masters for a 10th time.

“Both last night’s match and tonight have been, maybe, some of the best matches I have played in a while, so I am just enjoying myself on the court,” said Djokovic, who improved to 35-8 on the season. “When you play well and feel good, there is obviously a lot of joy in striking a tennis ball on the court.

“These sensations I have on the tennis court are some of the reasons why I keep on playing and keep on competing because I really believe that I can play at a very high level. Now, it’s a matter of keeping that consistency and also having a good time off the court.”

If Djokovic lifts the trophy in Shanghai, he would become the third man to achieve this feat in the Open Era (Connors, Federer).

After extending his lead in tournament wins (37), Djokovic will face Czech Republic’s Jakub Mensik, who held his nerve to defeat Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. The 19-year-old Czech, who clinched his fourth consecutive win against a Top 10 player, is the youngest quarter-finalist in Shanghai tournament history.

Following Djokovic and Safiullin’s clash on centre court, David Goffin delivered a vintage performance to upset second seed Alexander Zverev. The Belgian former No. 7 in the PIF ATP Rankings held on to claim a 6-4, 7-5 win against the German in one hour and 57 minutes.

It is the first time Goffin has reached this stage of an ATP Masters 1000 since the 2021 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. The 33-year-old will face seventh seed Taylor Fritz for a spot in the final four in Shanghai.

Fritz cruised past Holger Rune 6-1, 6-2 in just 55 minutes to secure his spot in the last eight, edging 2-1 in front in their ATP meetings.