‘I felt in the zone!’ – Stefanos Tsitsipas serves a blow to Novak Djokovic world number one hopes

ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic disappointed

Novak Djokovic’s hopes of finishing the year as the world number one suffered a blow after he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters.

The young Greek has struggled in recent months after his stellar start to the season but is back on top form now and was superb in a 3-6 7-5 6-3 victory, claiming a second career win over Djokovic.

Djokovic, who has struggled with injury since Wimbledon, was the reigning champion in Shanghai, so needed to win it again to protect ranking points. His failure to do so may open the door a little for Rafael Nadal, who is absent in Shanghai but will not lose any points due to missing it last season too.

Tsitsipas’ win also ensured he will make his debut at the ATP Finals in London next month.

The Greek said: “I played really well and felt in the zone in the second and third set in the rallies we were playing.

“That gave me a lot of confidence going in knowing I could face him from the baseline. As the match progressed I felt better and better.

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“I felt my serve was going very well today and I wasn’t struggling with it too much. That was an extra boost for me out there.

“I am really happy that I pulled out a great victory like this.”

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Novak Djokovic Stefanos Tsitsipas

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