Shanghai Rolex Masters 2016: Thursday Tennis Scores, Results, Updated Schedule
Top seed Novak Djokovic is safely through to the quarter-finals of the 2016 Shanghai Rolex Masters following a 6-4, 6-4 win over Vasek Pospisil on Thursday.
The reigning champion had to work hard at times during his Round 3 tussle, although eventually his class saw him edge both sets.
Second seed Andy Murray is also through, impressing in a straight-sets win over Lucas Pouille. Third seed Stanislas Wawrinka is out, though, as he lost 6-4, 6-4 to Gilles Simon.
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Here's a look at the results so far from this vital ATP Tour event and a closer examination of how things have panned out at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena.
| Mischa Zverev bt. Marcel Granollers | 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-1 |
| [9] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga bt. Alex Zverev | 6-7 (4), 6-2, 7-5 |
| [1] Novak Djokovic bt. Vasek Pospisil | 6-4, 6-4 |
| Jack Sock bt. [5] Milos Raonic | 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8) |
| [15] Roberto Bautista-Agut bt. Viktor Troicki | 6-3, 6-3 |
| [11] David Goffin vs. [6] Gael Monfils | 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 |
| [2] Andy Murray bt. [13] Lucas Pouille | 6-1, 6-3 |
| Gilles Simon bt. [3] Stanislas Wawrinka | 6-4, 6-4 |
| [1] Novak Djokovic | vs. | Mischa Zverev |
| [2] Andy Murray | vs. | [11] David Goffin |
| [9] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga | vs. | [15] Roberto Bautista-Agut |
| Jack Sock | vs. | Gilles Simon |
Djokovic Eases into Quarters
Having overcome the likes of Richard Gasquet and Grigor Dimitrov on his way to Round 3, Djokovic would have been anticipating a difficult test from Pospisil. However, the world No. 1 dealt with his opponent professionally.
Indeed, the tone was set in the opening game, as the Serb pounced on some nervousness from the Canadian to break. It was a similar story at the second attempt of serving for Pospisil, as the top seed was again able to spot his returns early.
At 3-0 and two breaks up, Djokovic was well in control, and while Pospisil did rally to break back, the champion cruised to a 6-4 opening stanza.
As we can see here courtesy of TennisTV, Djokovic took advantage of his opponent’s hesitancies on serve in the opening set:
Pospisil recovered some confidence early in the second set, showing much more conviction with the ball in hand. However, with the finishing line in sight at 3-3, Djokovic upped the ante to secure a crucial break and, eventually, win another set 6-4.
Murray is a man who looks capable of rivalling Djokovic for this title, though, as he coasted past Pouille in style.
The Scot flew out of the traps in this one, winning the first five games of the match in succession. Eventually, Pouille was able to avoid a bagel, although 6-1 was a fair reflection of Murray's dominance.
Any chances of a fightback from the Frenchman were dented early in the second set, too, as Murray broke at the first opportunity. And while much of the second stanza was even, the second seed wasn't flustered at all as he saw out victory.
BBC Radio 5 live's David Law commented on the conviction with which Murray operated on court:
The chances of Murray and Djokovic were enhanced further on Thursday, as there were some surprise eliminations.
Wawrinka, the U.S. Open champion, was the most notable player to depart. What was almost equally as shocking was just how simple it was for Simon to get the better of the Swiss, as he coasted to a routine 6-4, 6-4 win.
Another big shock of the day saw fifth seed Milos Raonic dumped out after a remarkable comeback from Jack Sock.
Raonic blasted his way to a 6-0 win in the opening stanza, serving with power and keeping his opponent pinned down with some thunderous hitting. But the American dug deep in the second set to restore parity with a 6-4 win.
There was nothing between the pair in the decider, which went to a tiebreak. Sock continued to draw on incredible resolve, though, saving a couple of match points before snatching the second of his own.
As noted by tennis statistician Jeff Sackmann, a win for Sock in this format is long overdue for the American:
"Jack Sock! In his 10th career tiebreak against Milos Raonic, he finally wins one.
— Jeff Sackmann (@tennisabstract) October 13, 2016"
Earlier in the day, Jo Wilfried-Tsonga secured his position in the last eight, although youngster Alex Zverev pushed him hard; the Frenchman eventually recovered from a set down to win through.
Zverev’s older brother, Mischa, gave the household something to smile about, though, as he came back against Marcel Granollers to win.
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