DJOKOVIC STORMS PAST COBOLLI

Serb eases into Shanghai Masters last 16 after days of schedule disruption due to rain

SHANGHAI – An aggressive Novak Djokovic powered through to the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters on Oct 8, steamrollering Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour, as he took out his frustrations over the hassle of the rain-disrupted schedule on the Italian.

The four-time Shanghai champion completely dominated 30th-ranked Cobolli, breaking him in the second and sixth games of the first set.

“I can’t complain about anything in the game, I was able to play aggressively,” Djokovic said. “I’m glad to be progressing through a tournament that has meant a lot to me in my career.”

Fans waved Serbian flags and screamed in delight when the former world No. 1 wrote part of his name in Chinese characters on a camera lens at the end of the match.

He will next play Russian Roman Safiullin, who upset American Frances Tiafoe in three tight sets.

“I’m glad to finally play a match after three days of rain, it’s been a hassle for a lot of players,” Djokovic said.

The round of 16 has almost fallen into place after days of schedule disruption due to rain.

Ben Shelton dispatched Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 6-4 to set up a Shanghai rematch with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy. The American knocked Sinner out of the tournament at the same stage in 2023.