Djokovic gives perfect reply to rankings fall
Serb focused on finishing this year on a high note.
Djokovic claimed back-to-back victories by winning the China Open and then the Shanghai Masters after falling to the number two spot. PHOTO: AFP
SHANGHAI:
Shanghai Masters champion Novak Djokovic said he still has unfinished business this season after delivering the perfect response to being knocked off the men’s top ranking.
The Serb ceded the world number one spot to Rafael Nadal, but his reaction has been emphatic with an unbeaten run in China adding two titles to his collection.
Immediately after Nadal returned to number one by reaching the China Open final, Djokovic proved he was not about to go away by defending his title in straight sets. He then swept all before him in Shanghai to retain a trophy for the second time in two weeks.
Djokovic said he had not yet contemplated next year’s grand slams and was still focused on 2013, with the Paris Masters, World Tour Finals and Davis Cup final still to come.
“Well, I’m still in this year. It hasn’t finished,” said the world number two. “I really will try to do my best till the end of the season, then I’m going to start thinking about what my goals are for next year.”
Djokovic’s chances of finishing ahead of Nadal as year-end number one are slim as the Spaniard has no points to defend in the rolling rankings.
“I have put myself in a better position right now with back-to-back wins,” said Djokovic of his hopes of returning to the top spot. “But the fact that if I would win, I would put myself in a better position, did not affect my motivation.”
Del Potro issues warning to rivals
Juan Martin del Potro said he was playing even better than when he won the 2009 US Open after pushing Djokovic to the limit in a gripping Shanghai Masters final.
The towering Argentine won this month’s Japan Open and beat world number one Rafael Nadal in the Shanghai semi-finals, before coming up just short in a third-set tie-breaker with Djokovic.
But Del Potro has shown he is primed for another assault on the majors with three titles this year and two appearances in Masters finals.
“I think I’m playing even better than many years ago,” said the world number five. “I couldn’t win a grand slam like I did in 2009 but I have reached finals in the Masters. I have already won three tournaments. I beat the top guys, which is fantastic for me.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2013.
Shanghai Masters champion Novak Djokovic said he still has unfinished business this season after delivering the perfect response to being knocked off the men’s top ranking.
The Serb ceded the world number one spot to Rafael Nadal, but his reaction has been emphatic with an unbeaten run in China adding two titles to his collection.
Immediately after Nadal returned to number one by reaching the China Open final, Djokovic proved he was not about to go away by defending his title in straight sets. He then swept all before him in Shanghai to retain a trophy for the second time in two weeks.
Djokovic said he had not yet contemplated next year’s grand slams and was still focused on 2013, with the Paris Masters, World Tour Finals and Davis Cup final still to come.
“Well, I’m still in this year. It hasn’t finished,” said the world number two. “I really will try to do my best till the end of the season, then I’m going to start thinking about what my goals are for next year.”
Djokovic’s chances of finishing ahead of Nadal as year-end number one are slim as the Spaniard has no points to defend in the rolling rankings.
“I have put myself in a better position right now with back-to-back wins,” said Djokovic of his hopes of returning to the top spot. “But the fact that if I would win, I would put myself in a better position, did not affect my motivation.”
Del Potro issues warning to rivals
Juan Martin del Potro said he was playing even better than when he won the 2009 US Open after pushing Djokovic to the limit in a gripping Shanghai Masters final.
The towering Argentine won this month’s Japan Open and beat world number one Rafael Nadal in the Shanghai semi-finals, before coming up just short in a third-set tie-breaker with Djokovic.
But Del Potro has shown he is primed for another assault on the majors with three titles this year and two appearances in Masters finals.
“I think I’m playing even better than many years ago,” said the world number five. “I couldn’t win a grand slam like I did in 2009 but I have reached finals in the Masters. I have already won three tournaments. I beat the top guys, which is fantastic for me.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2013.