Ruthless Djokovic sets up Zverev clash in Shanghai semis

Novak Djokovic got the better of Kevin Anderson to book a semifinal clash against Alexander Zverev at the Shanghai Masters on Friday.

Published : Oct 12, 2018 15:08 IST , Shanghai

Novak Djokovic reacts after defeating Kevin Anderson on Friday.
Novak Djokovic reacts after defeating Kevin Anderson on Friday.
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Novak Djokovic reacts after defeating Kevin Anderson on Friday.

Novak Djokovic will face Alexander Zverev in the semifinal of the Shanghai Masters after the 14-time Grand Slam champion beat Kevin Anderson 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 on Friday.

Djokovic saved set point in the opener before taking control of the tie break and the second set to dump out the South African seventh seed in efficient fashion. The 31-year-old from Serbia is in sparkling form, winning Wimbledon, the Cincinnati Masters and US Open in recent months, after having elbow surgery in February.

RELATED| Zverev seals ATP Finals place with Shanghai win

The second seed is homing in on injured Rafael Nadal's year-end number one ranking. Djokovic will meet Zverev on Saturday after the rising star defeated Kyle Edmund to reach his first Shanghai Masters semifinal.

The fourth seed's 6-4, 6-4 victory over the 11th-seeded Briton also seals his place in the season-ending ATP Finals in London next month, which bring together the top eight men.

Shanghai top seed and defending champion Roger Federer plays Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals later on Friday.

The top four players in the world -- Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro -- had already qualified for London. Zverev is ranked fifth.

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