Djokovic advances in Shanghai, Cilic and Thiem suffer immediate exits

Novak Djokovic began his bid for a fourth career Shanghai Masters title by beating Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 7-5 on Tuesday evening. Djokovic did not face a single break point while winning the second-round match in one hour and 23 minutes.

The world No. 3 is now 12-0 lifetime against Chardy and a ridiculous 28-0 in total sets.

Up next for Djokovic on Thursday is either Hyeon Chung or Marco Cecchinato, the only two players who defeted him at a Grand Slam this year–Chung in round four of the Australian Open and Cecchinato in the French Open quarters.

“Both of these players won against me the last time we met,” the Serb noted. “I think I’m a completely different player than I was in first five (or) six months of the year. Hopefully the outcome can be different, as well…. I’m very grateful to play on a high level. I think that I’m very close to my best–and ‘best’ changes day to day. I can always strive to be the best I can be on that given day. Today’s performance was pretty close to that.”

Neither Marin Cilic nor Dominic Thiem was at his best on Tuesday and their losses prevented them from clinching spots in the Nitto ATP Finals. Cilic would have secured his place with a final appearance in  Shanghai, while Thiem needed a title. Neither came close to accomplishing those feats. In fact, neither even survived his opening contest.

Cilic squandered two match points in a 2-6, 7-6(6), 7-5 setback against Nicolas Jarry, while Thiem fell to Matthew Ebden in similar 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(4) fashion.

Both players–especially Cilic–are still in fine shape to make return trips to the year-end championship. The Croat is No. 6 in the race to London with 3,825 points and only Kevin Anderson has a chance of passing him this week. Thiem is right on the cut line at No. 8, just 15 points south of Anderson but 605 ahead of No. 9 John Isner.

Djokovic, meanwhile, is one of five men who have already clinched their spots at the Nitto ATP Finals–joining Rafael Nadal, Juan Martin Del Potro, Roger Federer, and Alexander Zverev.

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