Djokovic too strong for Chardy in Shanghai

Novak Djokovic began his quest for a fourth Shanghai Masters crown with a straight-sets victory over France’s Jeremy Chardy.

The Serbian, who lifted the most recent of his three titles in 2015 and had a bye for the first round, won 6-3, 7-5 in an hour and 24 minutes.

Djokovic’s success sets up a last-16 meeting with either Marco Cecchinato, who defeated him in the French Open quarterfinals this year, or Korean Chung Hyeon, a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 winner against Hubert Hurkacz.

Sixth seed Dominic Thiem crashed out following a three-set defeat to Australian Matthew Ebden. The French Open finalist lost a close encounter 6-4, 6-7 (10/8), 7-6 (7/4) to the unseeded 30-yearold.

Fifth seed Marin Cilic was another secondround casualty, losing 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 to Chile- an Nicolas Jarry. Cilic’s fellow Croatian Borna Coric, a first-round winner against Stan Wawrinka, continued his progress by beating American qualifier Bradley Klahn 6-4, 6-2, while German Peter Gojowczyk defeated Marton Fucsovics 6-4, 6-7 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5).

In the first round, British No 1 Kyle Edmund battled through with an unconvincing straight-sets win over Filip Krajinovic. The 23-year-old was given a stern test by the world No 35 and looked in trouble at 4-2 and a break point down before eventually progressing 7-5, 6-3. He will face experienced Italian Andreas Seppi in the last 32.

Britain’s Katie Boulter upset eighth seed Maria Sakkari to reach the second round of the Tianjin Open with a straight-sets victory.

The 22-year-old progressed 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 against the world No 42 in China.