Shanghai Masters: Novak Djokovic passes Flavio Cobolli in ATP event

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

The 37-year-old Serbian was sharp and clinical in a 6-1 6-2 win which lasted just over an hour.

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

In addition to his flawless precision with clean groundstrokes from the baseline, Djokovic’s high level meant he only conceded seven points on serve.

The world number four will then face Russian 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 reach a century of tournament victories.

On his first return to Shanghai since 2019, Djokovic acknowledged that the prospect of winning a historic title gives him “extra motivation” in the ATP 1000 event.

Djokovic has scaled back his schedule as he prioritizes the biggest events and this year saw him play his second-fewest matches in a single season since 2005.

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

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

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