Shanghai Masters: Djokovic eased past Cobolli to reach round 16

Novak Djokovic defeated Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-2 on Tuesday to move on to the Rolex Shanghai Masters fourth round, passing the most recent test in his quest for a 100th tour-level title with flying colors.

“From the beginning I had a clear game plan of what I needed to do, staying aggressive and trying to use every short ball to take the initiative in the point,” said Djokovic, who improved to 34-8 on the season. “Cobolli was evidently exhausted after last night’s match [against Stan Wawrinka]. I think that has taken a toll, physically, on him today.

“I haven’t played too many matches, I think the positive in that is that I’m fresh, so I am happy to play every day [for] as long as it takes.”

Next up for Djokovic is Roman Safiullin, who overcame a set and break behind to overcome Frances Tiafoe, ranked 13th, in an exciting third-round match. In three hours and four minutes, Safiullin emerged victorious with 51 winners on her way to a 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(5) triumph.

Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev survived a scare on Tuesday against Tallon Griekspoor in the third round of the Rolex Shanghai Masters, requiring eight match points to book his ticket to the last 16.

Zverev, who improved to 59-18 on the season, trails only Jannik Sinner in match wins. The German will next face David Goffin who is into the fourth round of an ATP Masters 1000 for the first time since the 2022 Madrid Open after rallying from a set deficit to overcome American Marcos Giron 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a gripping encounter.

Also, Grigor Dimitrov defeated Alexei Popyrin for his 40th win of this season. The 33-year-old Bulgarian overcame Alexei Popyrin 7-6(5), 6-2. He will next face Jakub Mensik. The Czech earlier downed Alexander Shevchenko 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2.

Another Top 10 star, Taylor Fritz, also advanced with a straight-sets win on Tuesday. The American breezed past Yosuke Watanuki 6-3, 6-4 to reach the last 16 in Shanghai for the first time in five appearances.

His opponent there will be 12th seed Holger Rune, who eased to a 6-4, 7-5 triumph against Jiri Lehecka.