Djokovic kicks off Shanghai Masters title defense with easy win

Source: Xinhua| 2019-10-09 22:06:42|Editor: xuxin
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SHANGHAI, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 Novak Djokovic eased past Canada's Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-3 to reach the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday.

Djokovic is aiming for his 34th Masters title in China, which would close the gap on Rafael Nadal, who leads with 35 titles.

Djokovic made a fast start to the defense of the tournament crown, fresh from winning career title 76 in Tokyo, and will play big-serving American John Isner in the last 16.

The 32-year-old Serb, who is getting back to his best after pulling out of the US Open in the last 16 with a shoulder injury, cantered to the win over the 20-year-old Shapovalov in just 70 minutes.

In his third meeting with Djokovic this year, Shapovalov misfired a backhand to give the 16-time major winner a break at 5-3 before he confidently served out the first set.

The four-time Shanghai champion stormed to two breaks in the second set as a Shapovalov forehand sailed long to end the one-sided affair.

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