Novak Djokovic stormed into the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday, defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour. The four-time Shanghai champion dominated the match, breaking Cobolli’s serve twice in the first set and maintaining control throughout. Djokovic expressed satisfaction with his aggressive play and the tournament’s significance in his career.
Fans celebrated the victory by waving Serbian flags as Djokovic signed the camera lens with Chinese characters. Up next, Djokovic will face Russian Roman Safiullin, who upset Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling three-set battle.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Ben Shelton eliminated Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 6-4 to set up a rematch against world number one Jannik Sinner, whom he beat at the same stage last year. Carlos Alcaraz, fresh off his China Open win, will meet veteran Gael Monfils, while Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced to face Daniil Medvedev after overcoming France’s Alexandre Muller 6-3, 7-5.
In other action, Grigor Dimitrov moved past Alexei Popyrin and will face Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, who knocked out Russia’s Andrey Rublev earlier in the tournament.