MEN’S TOUR NEWS FROM BEIJING AND TOKYO: DJOKOVIC, ISNER ADVANCE TO QUARTERFINALS BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 1st October 2014

MEN'S TOUR NEWS FROM BEIJING AND TOKYO: DJOKOVIC, ISNER ADVANCE TO QUARTERFINALS BY RICKY DIMON

epa04425937 Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return to Vasek Pospisil of Canada during a men's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China 01 October 2014. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA |

Novak Djokovic extended his perfect record at the China Open to 21-0 by defeating Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 7-5 on Wednesday afternoon. Djokovic, who is looking to win a fifth title in Beijing, needed one hour and 25 minutes to reach the quarterfinals. He is joined there by John Isner, a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) winner over Tommy Robredo.

Beijing summary

Robredo had missed five championship-point opportunities against Andy Murray in last week’s Shenzhen final and he suffered another heartbreaker in the Beijing second round. The Spaniard had a match point with Isner serving at 4-5, 30-40 in the third set, but Isner thwarted it with an ace. Robredo actually won more points than his opponent (107-103) despite the loss.

There was no such drama in Djokovic’s match against Pospisil, although the top seed at least had to fight back from a break down in the second set. He managed to do just that, thus improving his chances of finishing 2014 with the No. 1 ranking.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return to Vasek Pospisil of Canada during a men’s singles match at the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China 01 October 2014. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA

“It’s definitely always the highest priority out there along with winning Grand Slam titles,” Djokovic said of being No. 1 in the world. “That gives me plenty of motivation. It would mean a lot to me. That’s why I’m out here in Beijing and Shanghai, competing and trying to get that year-end No. 1.”

Tokyo summary

Only two men’s singles matches were completed in Beijing because of rain, but much better conditions at the Japan Open allowed for a full slate of action on Wednesday. U.S. Open runner-up and Kuala Lumpur champion Kei Nishikori was able to delight his home crowd by winning a first-round match against Ivan Dodig 6-3, 6-4. Nishikori prevailed in one hour and 24 minutes to set up a date with Donald Young.

Everyone else in action on Wednesday was contesting a second-round match. Winners included Benjamin Becker, Jack Sock, Gilles Simon, and Steve Johnson. All four of the current quarterfinalists are unseeded. Becker, who ousted Japanese wild card Tatsuma Ito, was the only man other than Nishikori who avoided a third set on Wednesday. Sock held off Andrey Golubev while Simon and Johnson fought back from set deficits against Gilles Muller and Marcel Granollers, respectively.

John Isner of the USA returns the ball to Tommy Robredo of Spain during their men’s second round match of the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China, 01 October 2014. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA

Briefs

* Isner up to No.14 in the world, but can go no higher even with Beijing title.

* Berdych’s bid to pass Nishikori in rankings put on hold by rain.

* Becker making double-digit climb, can assure top 50 spot with one more win.

* Sock likely into top 60, will be top 50 if he reaches Tokyo semifinals.

* Simon overcomes Muller, needs one more victory for top 30.

* Johnson nearing top 40, must beat Simon to accomplish it.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Andy Murray, Beijing, China Open, Donald Young, Japan Open, John Isner, Kei Nishikori, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Tennis, Tennis News, Tokyo, Tommy Robredo, Vasek Pospisil

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10sBalls_com says:

October 1, 2014 at 12:15 pm

MEN’S TOUR NEWS FROM #BEIJING AND #TOKYO: @DjokerNole, @JohnIsner ADVANCE TO #QUARTERFINALS BY @RD_Tennistalk- http://t.co/FSoHX8KDf2 #ATP
RD_Tennistalk says:

October 1, 2014 at 2:43 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: MEN’S TOUR NEWS FROM #BEIJING AND #TOKYO: @DjokerNole, @JohnIsner ADVANCE TO #QUARTERFINALS BY @RD_Tennistalk- http://t.…