Novak Djokovic, the top seed at the Shanghai Rolex Masters, was a game away from being upset by German qualifier Mischa Zverev in the second set of their quarter-final match on Friday, but broke back to win the match in three sets. So how did the Serbian overcome the pressure and get himself out of trouble? “You're trying to reach that balance between being concentrated but at the same time being kind of calm and relaxed and enjoying the moment,” said Djokovic, who hummed a tune while waiting to return Zverev’s serve in the latter stages of the match. “I was always trying to keep that optimal state of mind. Instead of the occasional tantrum that I used to have,...
Henri Kontinen and John Peers boosted their Barclays ATP World Tour Finals qualification bid as they reached the Shanghai Rolex Masters semi-finals. The Finnish/Australian duo inched their way up to No. 7 in the Emirates ATP Doubles Race To London with 3,070 points, after beating Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares 6-3, 7-6(4) on Friday. They now lead No. 8-placed Treat Huey and Max Mirnyi (3,065) by just five points. The top eight teams at the end of the regular season will qualify for the prestigious season finale, to be held at The O2 in London from 13-20 November. "It was great to get the win today," said Peers. "We have been building together as a team and it's been great...
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic came on Friday within a tie-break of losing to a player ranked outside of the Top 100 in the Emirates ATP Rankings for the first time in more than eight years. The Serbian was forced to work hard for his 30th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 match win of the year by overcoming No. 110-ranked Mischa Zverev 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 in two hours and 21 minutes at the Shanghai Rolex Masters. "I had to dig myself out of a hole," said Djokovic. "He was the better player for most of the first part of the match. He was up a set and a break, [then] a game away from winning. Tactically played well. He slowed...
Roberto Bautista Agut is through to his second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final after beating ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-4 on Friday at the Shanghai Rolex Masters. The Spaniard will face Novak Djokovic as he bids to reach his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final. His first semi-final came two years ago on home soil in Madrid, where he lost to Rafael Nadal. "I'm happy about being in the semi-finals. But also, I'm happy with the way I'm working, with the way I'm planning all my days, with the way I'm playing on the court," said Bautista Agut. "I'm feeling great. I hope to continue like this." Bautista Agut will need to overturn a 0-5 FedEx ATP...