SHANGHAI — Novak Djokovic launched his bid for a record-extending fifth title on the Shanghai Masters with a straight-sets victory over Marin Cilic on Friday within the Serbian’s first match because the U.S. Open.
The fourth-seeded Djokovic struggled to take care of a grip early within the second-round match and needed to sprinkle sawdust on his arms to fight the humidity earlier than prevailing 7-6 (2), 6-4.
After breaking serve early within the second set, Djokovic needed to struggle off two break factors within the closing recreation earlier than sealing victory with an ace — his tenth of the match.
It was his first match since dropping to Carlos Alcaraz within the U.S. Open semifinals.
“I struggled to seek out my rhythm from the baseline,” Djokovic stated. “I (lacked) some matches — my final one was on the US Open — so I acquired a very powerful opener in opposition to Marin, who when he’s feeling the ball, is so harmful and might beat anyone.
“He didn’t give me time to breathe, so I believe I dug myself out of hassle with good serving, which clearly makes me joyful.”
Djokovic subsequent faces German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, who beat American Frances Tiafoe 6-7 (9), 6-2, 6-1.
Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo, seeded thirty first, defeated France’s Benjamin Bonzi 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the third spherical.
The Canadian will subsequent face unseeded David Goffin of Belgium.
Sixth-seeded Ben Shelton, who hadn’t performed since struggling a left shoulder damage on the U.S. Open, was crushed 6-2, 6-4 by David Goffin.
Goffin broke serve not lengthy after play resumed after a brief rain suspension.
Earlier within the week, Shelton stated that regardless of the five-week layoff, he nonetheless hoped to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, starting Nov. 9.
Shelton is at present sixth within the factors race for Turin, with eight making the finals. However his loss Friday will put a dent in these ambitions.
The highest-seeded gamers in Shanghai all obtained first-round byes. Fifth-seeded Taylor Fritz was enjoying later Friday.
Jannik Sinner, who gained the China Open closing in Beijing on Wednesday, is scheduled to play on Saturday. Prime-ranked Alcaraz, who beat Fritz within the Japan Open closing, introduced after his win in Tokyo that he wouldn’t play in Shanghai on account of minor illnesses.
