admin
SHANGHAI. — World number one Novak Djokovic extended his hot streak in China as he blazed past Martin Klizan at the Shanghai Tennis Masters yesterday, with Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka snapping at his heels.
The two-time champion brushed Klizan aside 6-2, 6-1 to set up a clash with Feliciano Lopez or Dominic Thiem as he seeks to add to this year’s haul of eight titles, including three of the four Grand Slams.
The Serb lifted the China Open trophy for the sixth time on Sunday and he said a surge of confidence after what he calls his best season yet made him very tough to beat.
“Considering the fact that I’ve won so many matches this year and tournaments, probably the best season of my life definitely, anywhere I go I’m confident,” said Djokovic, after raising his win-loss record to 69-5 this year.
“Especially towards the end of the season, knowing that back in the previous years I’ve played consistently well and was very successful in the last couple months of the season.
“That encourages me, gives me incentive to go out on the court and play the best that I can. As I said, many matches won on this court as well help me to be more comfortable starting the match and playing in it, as well.”
Murray, another two-time winner at Shanghai’s Qi Zhong Stadium, also zipped past Steve Johnson 6-2, 6-4 and French Open champion Wawrinka beat Viktor Troicki 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.
After Roger Federer’s shock loss to 70th-ranked Albert Ramos-Vinolas late on Tuesday, there were no banana-skins for Djokovic, Wawrinka or Murray, who was returning to action following a four-week break.
Outspoken Australian Nick Kyrgios flirted with a 28-day ban after he was slapped with his second code violation in as many matches during his 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss to Japan’s Kei Nishikori. — AFP.
Online Reporter