Novak Djokovic dominates Flavio Cobolli, advances to fourth round in Shanghai | ATP Tour

Match Report

Djokovic dominates Cobolli, advances to fourth round in Shanghai

Four-time champion to face Safiullin next

October 08, 2024

Novak Djokovic passed the latest test in his quest for a 100th tour-level title with flying colours on Tuesday as he overpowered Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-2 to advance to the fourth round of the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

In a contest that thoroughly contrasted his opener against #NextGenATP American Michelsen, Djokovic surged to a dominant win over Cobolli in their maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

“From the beginning I had a clear game plan of what I needed to do, staying aggressive and trying to use every short ball to take the initiative in the point,” said Djokovic, who improved to 34-8 on the season. “Cobolli was evidently exhausted after last night’s match [against Stan Wawrinka]. I think that has taken a toll, physically, on him today.

“I haven’t played too many matches, I think the positive in that is that I’m fresh, so I am happy to play every day [or] as long as it takes.”

Feeling right at home 🏡 @DjokerNole takes care of Cobolli 6-1 6-2 to return to the Round of 16 in Shanghai.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/YnTY7OadqN

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 8, 2024

Djokovic will next face Roman Safiullin, who battled back from a set and a break deficit to upset thirteenth seed Frances Tiafoe in an absorbing third-round clash. Safiullin struck 51 winners en route to a 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(5) victory, prevailing in three hours and four minutes.

The record four-time champion, who is making his first appearance in Shanghai since 2019, struck 11 winners in a 29-minute first set, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Cobolli weathered the oncoming storm at the beginning of the second set, but Djokovic kept his foot on the gas to dismantle the Italian’s serve in the fifth game.

From there, Djokovic cruised to victory to boost his hopes of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. The Serb is currently eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race, 220 points behind Andrey Rublev in seventh.