Classy Djokovic continues pursuit for 100th title

Novak Djokovic continued his pursuit of a 100th career title by dismantling Italian youngster Flavio Cobolli to reach the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters.

The 37-year-old Serb was sharp and clinical in a 6-1 6-2 win, which took little over an hour.

Cobolli, who grew up idolising the 24-time Grand Slam champion, could not cope with Djokovic’s ability to anticipate the rallies and rarely miss a return.

As well as his unerring precision with clean groundstrokes from the baseline, Djokovic’s high level ensured he conceded only seven points on serve.

Next, the world number four will face Russia’s Roman Safiullin for a place in the quarter-finals.

Djokovic is aiming to become only the third man – after Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) – to clock up a century of tournament victories.

Making his first return to Shanghai since 2019, Djokovic acknowledged the prospect of winning a landmark title is giving him “extra motivation” in the ATP 1000 event.

Djokovic has scaled back his schedule as prioritises the biggest events and this year has played his second-fewest number of matches in a single season since 2005.

The manner in which he overwhelmed 22-year-old Cobolli, ranked 30th in the world after a impressive breakthrough season, was a reminder of the threat he poses.

Moments after Djokovic clinched victory, Safiullin served out to win a final-set tie-break against American 13th seed Frances Tiafoe.

Tiafoe reacted angrily towards chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote after losing 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7-5), launching a flurry of expletives in the Ecuadorian official’s direction.