SHANGHAI: Reigning Shanghai Masters champion Novak Djokovic and third seed Roger Federer survived in the third round to reach the quarter finals of the event.
Djokovic survived a scare as he overcame his 85th-ranked opponent to make it to the quarter-finals on Thursday Federer easily overcame Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-2.
Djokovic, the top seed in Shanghai, was forced into a third set by Mikhail Kukushkin as he claimed a hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory.
The world number one began in predictable style, breaking his opponent on his final service game in the opening set as he looked to be heading for a routine win.
But in the second set, the Kazakhstani proved to be no pushover against an opponent who was seeking his 27th successive victory on Chinese soil.
The 26-year-old broke the Serb on his opening service game, and then staged his first attempt to take the set as he earned a break-point with the scores at 5-3.
Djokovic battled hard in the third set, losing his trademark coolness as he shouted and pumped his fist at almost every point won.
He made a breakthrough in the fifth game, taking Kukushkin's serve to march to a 4-2 lead, which ended any further heroics from his opponent.
“I congratulate him for fighting,” said Djokovic. “But I'm really glad to come out as the winner and stay mentally strong. That's why I won. I won because I fought my way through.”
Djokovic will face David Ferrer while Federer will play French Julien Benneteau in the quarter-finals today.
Murray’s WTF hopes marred by defeat
British number one Andy Murray lost out to Spaniard David Ferrer 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the third round of the Shanghai Masters, injuring his hopes of making it to the end-of-season World Tour Finals.
The world number 11 took the first set with ease before crumbling, as Ferrer powered back to leapfrog Murray into ninth place in the race to reach the eight-man year-ender.
It was a crushing setback for Murray, who has won seven of their previous 12 meetings and must now scramble if he is to make next month's season finale in London.
“He barely missed a ball for about a set and a half,” said Murray. “I couldn’t find a way around him. He played just great tennis, especially the last set and a half.”
"Hopefully I can play well the last couple of tournaments, try and make a push for London," he added.
Elsewhere, Feliciano Lopez of Spain powered into the quarter-finals after beating 13th-seed American John Isner 6-3, 6-4.
Lopez, who dumped out Nadal in the last round, will meet Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the quarters after he overcame Juan Monaco of Argentina 5-7, 6-3, 6-2.
Meanwhile, Julien Benneteau of France beat American Jack Sock 6-3, 6-4, and will meet 17-times Grand Slam winner Federer in the next stage.
The ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event concludes in Shanghai on Sunday. AFP
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