The Serbian Novak Djokovic, in search of his 100th title, beat the American Alex Michelsen in two sets won in the tie-break 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (11/9) for his entry into the running at the Shanghai Masters 1000 this Saturday.
In the other part of the picture, the German Alexander Zverevthe number 2 seed, has for his part the Serbian Novak Djokovic (number 4) on his way.
Winner of the only Olympic tournament this year, a symbolic but meager harvest for this ogre, Djokovic aims to win a 100th tournament in Shanghai.
In a duel of generations against the young 20-year-old American Alex Michelsenin full progress to 43rd place, Djoko was in difficulty even if he came out in two sets.
Trailing 3-0, the 37-year-old Serb woke up and gradually took the lead in the first set to win it in the tie-break. In the second set, he took the service of Michelsen to lead 3-1, but was broken, the American returning to 4-3. Here again, the Serbian had to wait for the tie-break.
He gave the public the point of the match when, cornered after a drop shot, he passed a backhand pass while his back was to the net. He saved two set points before concluding on his third match point with a winning service.
His unforced errors and lapses in concentration were ultimately without consequence, except for one match extended to 1h55. “Djoko” will face the Italian in the next round Flavio Cobolli or the Swiss Stan Wawrinka.
In his part of the table, the Russian Andrey Rublev (seeded number 6) was knocked out by the Czech Jakub Mensik (65e) 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 6-3.
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