No Shanghai surprise as Djokovic triumphs

Novak Djokovic overcame a fierce challenge from Juan Martin del Potro Sunday to defend his Shanghai Masters title with a 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) victory, improving his phenomenal winning streak in China to 20 matches.

Updated on: Oct 14, 2013, 02:40:18 IST

AFP | By HT Correspondent, Shanghai

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Novak Djokovic overcame a fierce challenge from Juan Martin del Potro on Sunday to defend his Shanghai Masters title with a 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) victory, improving his phenomenal winning streak in China to 20 matches.

The Serbian top seed looked set to wrap up the final in double-quick time after a one-sided first set — but the Argentine, who conquered Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals, hit back hard to take the match into a third set tie-break.

Djokovic held his nerve in the shoot-out to win a gripping contest lasting more than two-and-a-half hours for his fifth title of the season.

The victory keeps alive his slim chances of overtaking Nadal in the battle for the year-end number one ranking.

Del Potro came into the final against the top seed brimming with confidence after his semi-final demolition of Nadal, but was immediately on the back foot in breezy conditions at the Qizhong Tennis Center.

Del Potro, 25, has qualified for the elite season-ending World Tour Finals in London, featuring the season’s top eight players. Other confirmed qualifiers are Nadal, Djokovic and Spain’s David Ferrer.

Stay updated with the latest scores, results, and headlines from us sports, wwe, football, tennis, hockey, and other sports. Follow live action, big tournaments, and top players across all major leagues on sports by Hindustan Times.