Djokovic Wins Shanghai To Close On World No.1
Zeeshan Mehtab Published October 15, 2018 | 06:04 AM
Shanghai, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Oct, 2018 ) :Novak Djokovic is within touching distance of Rafael Nadal's number one ranking after winning the Shanghai Masters with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Borna Coric on Sunday.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion broke the 19th-ranked Croatian -- a good friend and sometime-training partner -- in the sixth game of the first set on the way to another no-nonsense victory.
The end was anti-climactic, with the Serb winning the championship point after a video review.
Djokovic buried his head in his hand at the absurdity of it.
The 31-year-old will leapfrog Roger Federer into second in the world when the rankings are released on Monday and is in imperious form as the season reaches its climax.
Red-hot Djokovic has now been victorious in 18 ATP matches in a row and in recent months won Wimbledon, the Cincinnati Masters, the US Open and now Shanghai.
The last four months had been "fantastic" and "tremendous", he said.
"I'm cherishing every moment of it," he told the crowd, calling Shanghai "a special place" to him.
"I could not ask for a better scenario," Djokovic said of his late surge to the summit of men's tennis.
"I am very close now to Nadal in the rankings and put myself in a good position for the last period of the year." Coric, 21, said that he had no complaints about losing to "one of the best in the history of tennis".
In what was the biggest match of his life, he wore heavy strapping on one thigh and has been troubled by a stiff neck that saw him ponder pulling out before the tournament.
But he refused to blame those for defeat to the man he considers something of an idol.
"He was the much better player on the court. I was playing good, really, I was really happy how I played," he said.
"I felt even if I was serving a little bit better, he'd still return my serves, so there is nothing I can do." - Ruthless Djokovic - This was a fourth Shanghai crown for Djokovic and he is homing in on a return to number one, having fallen as low as 22nd in May as he struggled following elbow surgery in February.
He also missed the second half of 2017 with elbow and off-court issues.
Coric, the 13th seed, was chasing only the third title of his career and defeated top seed Federer in the semi-finals to underline his rich promise.
He also dispensed of three-time Grand Slam winner and Federer's fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka in his opening match.
Coric had the extensive thigh strapping changed for the second set, but he was immediately broken when he somehow sent a routine volley out.
He had his first sniff of an opportunity with a break point in the sixth game of the second set, but second seed Djokovic survived when Coric again fired wide.
It is nearly two years since Djokovic topped the rankings and he has made it his mission to topple the injured Nadal before the year is out.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
More Stories From Sports
-
Victor Boniface: Leverkusen boss Alonso makes you 'up your game'
2 hours ago -
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable victory over UAE
6 hours ago -
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
12 hours ago -
National Hockey camp to be organized for Azlan Shah tournament
13 hours ago -
Islamabad Tennis Club demolished by CDA amid anti-encroachment action at public park: Tarar
15 hours ago -
Shayan, Rashid, Junaid to represent Pakistan in U12 Regional Qualifying Jrs
16 hours ago
-
Olympic Games Paris 2024: How teams qualified
16 hours ago -
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy unveiled in Islamabad
15 hours ago -
Pakistan to tour New Zealand for 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is next March
16 hours ago -
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
15 hours ago -
Pakistan Master Tenpin Bowling C'ship postponed
15 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
15 hours ago