Novak Djokovic wins Shanghai Masters in style.... Coach Dan

 

World number two Novak Djokovic produced a magical display to overcome the ferocious hitting of Argentine Juan Martin del Potro and successfully defend the Shanghai Masters title on Sunday.

The Serbian triumphed 6-1 3-6 7-6 (3) to complete a brilliant fortnight on the Chinese hard courts after he defended his China Open in Beijing last week. It was the 26-year-old's 20th consecutive win in China.

After Del Potro defeated world number one Rafa Nadal in Saturday's semi-finals with some powerful hitting, Djokovic was eager to avoid giving the Argentine any room to find his rhythm in the early stages.

The Serbian took command of the centre of the court, moving his taller opponent from side to side by taking the ball early and pressuring the Argentine's serve with some crisp, deep returns.

Djokovic broke twice to race into a 5-0 lead before sixth seed Del Potro finally held for the first time to register a game. The Argentine's first serve percentage dropping to 56 percent as the pressure from Djokovic's brilliant returning told.

Djokovic quickly wrapped up the set in 34 minutes but a rejuvenated Del Potro fought back gamely in the second, turning the tables on the Serbian with some powerful hitting of his own.

The 2009 U.S. Open champion scored a crucial break early in the set thanks to some booming winners as he opened up a 3-0 lead with an improved serve also providing cheap points.

Djokovic, though, had three chances to break back at 2-4 but the Argentine's monstrous forehand offered some clean winners as he crucially held before serving out for the set in the next game.

Neither man gave an inch at the start of a tense third set where the hitting intensified as Del Potro sensed his first Masters title.

Del Potro had break point on the Djokovic serve at 2-2 only for the Serb to come up with a huge ace and hold before it was the turn of the Argentine to feel the heat.

More pressure hitting from Djokovic fashioned two break point chances in the next game but Del Potro came up with more forehand winners to hold as the crowd rose in appreciation at the display of the two ATP Tour World finalists.

Djokovic then had two match points at 6-5 only for Del Potro's forehand to once again dig him out of a hole as he somehow hung on to his serve and forced the tiebreaker.

But the Serbian's renowned athletic steel finally came through though as Del Potro, who won last week in Japan, finally appeared to tire.

A careless forehand was pushed wide setting up match point which Djokovic took on the first with a backhand winner down the line to seal his 15th Masters title.

Novak Djokovic won his fourth China Open title in five years on Sunday..... Coach Dan

Novak Djokovic won his fourth China Open title in five years on Sunday, prevailing 6-3 6-4 in the final against Rafael Nadal who will replace him as the men

s new world number one on Monday.

The Serb continued his love affair in Beijing, improving his tournament record to 19-0 after brushing aside Nadal in an hour and 27 minutes to halt his run of three defeats against the Spaniard.

Nadal had to reach the final in the tournament to displace Djokovic from the top ranking and the issue was put to rest on Saturday when Tomas Berdych retired with a back injury in his semi-final against the Spaniard.

The 26-year-old Djokovic stamped his authority on the title match early, racing to a 3-0 lead in the first set and never allowing the Spaniard, who went into the match unbeaten on hard courts this year, to stage a comeback.

He broke Nadal in the first game of the second set and clearly looked the better player, hitting winners almost at will.

Such was the Serb's domination that the 27-year-old Nadal, who boosted his grand slam singles tally to 13 this year by winning the French and U.S. Opens, failed to create a single break point opportunity in the whole match.

Djokovic had also won the tournament in 2009, 2010 and 2012, while missing out in 2011 through injury.

Novak Djokovic clings on to his world number one ranking by.....- Coach Dan

Novak Djokovic clung on to his world number one ranking by beating Spain's Fernando Verdasco in the second round of the China Open in Beijing.

Defeat for the Serb would have enabled Rafael Nadal to replace him at the top of the rankings, but Djokovic overcame a blip to beat Verdasco 7-5 2-6 6-2.

The 26-year-old will face American Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals.

“The rankings will change. They change all the time. Over the years that has been the case” Novak Djokovic

In the women's draw, there were victories for top seed Serena Williams and third seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

Radwanska saw off Slovenian qualifier Polona Hercog 6-0 6-2 to set up a quarter-final tie with Germany's Angelique Kerber, who beat Italian Roberta Vinci 6-2 6-4.

World number one Williams recovered from going a break down in both sets to secure a 7-5 7-5 third-round win over Russian Maria Kirilenko.

Djokovic will be usurped by Nadal at the top of the men's rankings should the Spaniard reach the final - or if Djokovic fails to win the title.

Djokovic easily grabbed the opening set 7-5, but was in trouble in the second as he was broken twice, allowing Verdasco to level the match.

The Australian Open champion admitted he lacked concentration mid-way through the match before going on to seal victory in one hour and 54 minutes.

"I had some chances in the start of the second set and I managed to allow him to come back to the match and start playing well," said Djokovic.

"I try to do what I need to do and that is to win the matches.

"The rankings will change. They change all the time. Over the years that has been the case. You can't think too much about it."