Djokovic makes it to third round at Shanghai Masters
SHANGHAI: Imperious Novak Djokovic declared that he was “a completely different player” from the first half of this year after he beat France’s Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 7-5 to roll into the Shanghai Masters third round on Tuesday.
The rejuvenated Serbian second seed has now won all 12 matches against Chardy and this victory was never in doubt.
The 31-year-old Djokovic had to contend with a more stubborn Chardy in the second set, before the world number three’s superior shot-making won through in 83 minutes.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion missed six months of competition in 2017 and had elbow surgery in February. But he has burst back to form and fitness since the summer, winning Wimbledon, the US Open and the Masters 1000 Cincinnati in a terrific run, and says he is back close to his best.
FEDERER READY FOR SHANGHAI DEFENCE
SHANGHAI: Roger Federer warned Novak Djokovic and his other Shanghai Masters rivals on Tuesday that he was in prime condition even as another long season approaches its climax.
The 37-year-old Swiss has been carefully managing his schedule in recent years, cutting out the clay-court segment of the season since 2017 to wring the most out of his ageing body.
Federer opens his defence of the Shanghai Masters this week in ominously good shape.“the good thing is after feeling good in practice I played a good Laver Cup, have had also some rest after the US Open,” said Federer.
“I feel like I’m where I want to be. I know that this is where I could be playing a lot of tennis, depending on how I play. have actually been very successful when I played. I didn’t play many poor matches, to be quite honest. There is only maybe a couple that come to my mind and I have been injury-free for over a year now,” Federer added.
MUGURUZA TO FOCUS ON RESCUING SEASON
HONG KONG: Garbine Muguruza said she had put her birthday celebrations on hold as she battles
to rescue a disappointing season by winning the WTA Hong Kong Open. Muguruza, who has slumped from top of the rankings in 2017 to world No 13, turned 25 on Monday but said celebrations had been low key the night before her first round clash with fellow Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo, whom she beat 6-3, 6-1.
“It was a very simple celebration, we went to dinner with the team, but honestly, if you’re competing the next day it’s very hard to think about something else. I’m sure I will have more time after here to do something more fun. It’s not easy to play a Spanish player but I’m happy I’m in second round,” she said.
SABALENKA POWERS PAST KENIN IN TIANJIN
TIANJIN, CHINA : Aryna Sabalenka took down American Sofia Kenin 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-0 in the first round of the Tianjin Open on Tuesday, as the Belarusian maintains her slim hopes to secure a spot at this month’s WTA Finals.
Every win in the WTA international tournament counts for Sabalenka, who along is fighting for the three available spots left for the season-ending event in Singapore. Sabalenka must win in Tianjin this week, and also needs help from other results from Pliskova and Bertens to keep her qualifying bid alive.
COME CLEAR ON IOA SECY ARREST: CIC
NEW DELHI: Acting on a RTI filed by Dehradun-based activist Raju Gusain, the Central Information Commission directed the Central Public Information Officer, to reveal within three weeks why Indian Olympic Association secretary Rajeev Mehta was arrested during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
GUJARAT HOLD DABANG DELHI IN THRILLING TIE
CHENNAI: Gujarat Fortunegiants and Dabang Delhi KC played out an exciting 32-32 tie in a zone A match of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 6 here on Tuesday.
Gujarat Fortunegiants would be feeling disappointed as they let slip their first half advantage. Chandran Ranjit was the star performer for Delhi as he scored 10 raid points.