SHANGHAI: Novak Djokovic stayed on course for a potential blockbuster Shanghai Masters title match against Rafael Nadal yesterday, surviving a withering assault from Frenchman Gael Monfils to win his quarter-final 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4.
Elsewhere in last-eight action, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin del Potro breezed through their matches in straight sets as they hunt berths at next month’s elite World Tour Finals.
In a first set full of brutal baseline tennis, Monfils and Djokovic swapped two service breaks each before the match settled into a more regular groove, going to a tie-break won by the Frenchman when the top seed went long with a backhand. But Monfils, cutting an imposing figure in his bright orange top with a shock of dark hair, let his intensity slip at the start of the second set and Djokovic immediately seized the initiative with a break.
A time violation against Monfils rattled the Frenchman, who became embroiled in an argument with the umpire and was soon flat on his back receiving treatment on his stomach as the set slipped away from him.
Monfils, who conquered Roger Federer in the previous round, re-discovered his mojo at the start of the decider, rattling Djokovic, who hurled his racquet in disgust after one mistake.
But it was the Serb who made the crucial break, in the seventh game, letting out of roar of triumph before going on to seal the match.
Earlier, former US Open champion Del Potro eased into the semi-finals, firing 27 winners and making just eight unforced errors in a routine 6-3, 6-3 win against Nicolas Almagro, the Spanish 15th seed. — AFP