Sharp Novak Djokovic tames the John Isner serve to reach Shanghai Masters quarters
His return game was top notch and he also produced “one of his best serving matches of late” so unsurprisingly Novak Djokovic was pleased with his performance against John Isner at the Shanghai Masters.
The world No 1 won 85% of his service points and broke the big-hitting Isner’s serve once in each set to secure a comfortable 7-5, 6-3 victory in one hour and 18 minutes.
Absolutely Flawless 😳@DjokerNole reaches his 82nd(!) Masters 1000 quarter-final by defeating Isner 7-5 6-3 at @SH_RolexMasters. pic.twitter.com/S8ClMPfLkt
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 10, 2019
Djokovic won five consecutive games at the end of the first set and beginning of the second and Isner, who passed 1000 aces for fifth consecutive year in the match, never recovered.
Asked after the match about his tactics to deal with the big serves, the 16-time Grand Slam winner replied: “I just try to have a good position and react well and have a good balance.
“There are a lot of technical details that I won’t get into and you just pick a side. Sometimes you kind of use the experience of playing him before and knowing his patterns of where he might go, his favourite spot.
“But sometimes it’s just reaction, blocking serve and getting it back in play.
“That’s what you have to do against one of the best servers of all time.”
As for his own service game, Djokovic was delighted.
“There is always something to work on, that is the beauty of sport and life in general, you can always improve, but I am very happy with the way I am feeling and playing on court.
“This has been one of my best serving matches of lately so I’m looking forward to the next one.”
He will take on either sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or Hubert Hurkacz from Poland for a place in the semi-final.
Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev continued his great form as he beat Vasek Pospisal from Canada 7-6 (9-7), 7-5.
Up next for the third-seeded Russian is Fabio Fognini after the 10th seed from Italy beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-5.
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz forced to accept brutal reality as he slumps to shock Miami Open defeat
Carlos Alcaraz could have no complaints as he was forced to accept the brutal reality that he was beaten by a better player.
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev just happy to be back competing against the best
Alexander Zverev has said that he savours being competitive in big tournaments.
-
Tennis News
WTA star announces that she is expecting a baby girl
Alison Riske-Amritraj will be having a daughter.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner breaks new ground for an Italian player with $20 million milestone
Jannik Sinner will become the first Italian player to bank $20 million in ATP Tour prize money after the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz identifies key Grigor Dimitrov threat as he seeks revenge in Miami showdown
Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov have looked ahead to their Miami Open match.
-
WTA Tour
Charleston Open hand former No 1 wildcard to start her clay season
Wildcards were forthcoming for former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, world No 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Charleston-native Shelby Rogers.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 weighs in on Iga Swiatek’s ‘aura’ as he makes ‘intimidating’ claim
“The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her.”
-
WTA Tour
Naomi Osaka’s clay swing fills out with Rouen wildcard
Naomi Osaka gets Rouen wildcard to kickstart her clay swing.
-
WTA Tour
Danielle Collins balks at being asked to explain retirement
Danielle Collins has responded to those who question why she has decided to retire from tennis at the end of the current season.
-
Tennis News
‘Novak Djokovic’s problem is psychological’, assesses Roger Federer’s former coach
“Undoubtedly, ‘Nole’ must have fire inside, otherwise he is missing something.”