Djokovic survives injury scare, Nadal soars
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, October 10, 2013
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Spain's Rafael Nadal stretches for a return to Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during their Shanghai Rolex Masters second-round match at Qizhong Tennis Center last night. |
All top seeds eased through the second round at the Shanghai Rolex Masters yesterday, as Qizhong Tennis Center witnessed a super-busy schedule after two days of wet conditions.
Top seed Novak Djokovic beat Spain's Marcel Granollers 6-2, 6-0 while fifth seed Roger Federer packed off Italian Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-3. Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer both won in straight sets in late-night encounters, the second seed easing past Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 6-2 while third-seeded Ferrer beat Czech Lucas Rosol 6-3, 6-4.
While Nadal had little problem against his Ukrainian opponent, Ferrer missed out on two match points before beating the 1.96-meter Rosol in 70 minutes.
Earlier, Djokovic, who enjoys huge local support, had his fans fearing the worst when he landed awkwardly on his right foot in the first game of the second set. He asked for a medical timeout and had his foot wrapped up before returning to the court.
"I was running and I made a quick movement that caused a sharp pain at that instant," said Djokovic. "It's all good now." He dominated the rest of the match, closing it out in 70 minutes.
The Serb saw his world No. 1 ranking usurped by Nadal on Monday. "I'll try to go as far as I can to go back to No. 1, but that depends on Rafa. I'll try to get myself aggressive on court and get my game to where it should be, and that's the priority."
Going into his match, Federer had a 9-0 record against Seppi. The 17-time grand slam champion, who is trying to collect more points in Shanghai so as to ensure a place at the year-end London ATP Finals, leveled with the Italian 3-3 in the first set after both conceded a break.
After clinching the first set 6-4, things went more smoothly for the Swiss as Nadal, whose match was scheduled after Federer's, watched from the side of the court. Federer next plays France's Gael Monfils, with a possible quarterfinal with Djokovic looming. Monfils won 7-5, 7-6 (4) over Vasek Pospisil of Canada.
"Conditions are pretty quick here so you have to be focused on your own serve," Federer said, alluding to being broken in the first set. "I was able to break back right away, still with the used balls. Then with the ball change, I was really in the match."
"It's been a more difficult season than other years. I had to digest a couple of tough losses, some injuries," said Federer who was playing his first singles match since a fourth-round exit from the US Open.
"It's been a great career so far. I'm still playing. I mean, I have 20 years more left on tour, so I believe the best is yet to come," the 32-year-old Swiss joked.
Sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro, suffering from fever, managed to overcome German Philipp Kohlschreiber. The Argentine said he started feeling sick on Tuesday night and relied on his serve to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), hitting 14 aces. He withdrew from his doubles match later.
Fourth seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic beat Spain's Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (5), 6-2.
In other matches, France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, seeded seventh, saw off Pablo Andujar of Spain 6-3 6-2; and German Tommy Haas overcame compatriot Daniel Brands 6-4, 6-4.
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