DJOKOVIC WINS SHANGHAI TITLE, TSONGA MOVES INTO WORLD TOUR FINALS DISCUSSION

Written by: Staff on 18th October 2015

DJOKOVIC WINS SHANGHAI TITLE, TSONGA MOVES INTO WORLD TOUR FINALS DISCUSSION

epa04982221 Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds the championship trophy after winning against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in men's singles final match of the Shanghai Tennis Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, 18 October 2015. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA |

Djokovic wins Shanghai title, Tsonga moves into World Tour Finals dicussion

By Ricky Dimon

Novak Djokovic completed an undefeated run through the Asian swing by defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 6-4 in the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Sunday. The recent Beijing champion needed just one hour and 18 minutes to capture his third career title in Shanghai.

Djokovic dropped serve once in the first set but more than made up for that hiccup with three victorious return games.

A more competitive second set saw Tsonga kick things off with four consecutive holds. The Frenchman, however, never had any prayer against his opponent’s serve. In fact, Tsonga won only a single point in five return games. A double-fault by the underdog on break point at 4-4, ad-out proved to be decisive.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in action against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles final match for the Shanghai Tennis Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, 18 October 2015. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA

“Today the key was to get as many serves back into play to Jo because he has one of the biggest serves in the game,” Djokovic assessed. “He has shown that in the second set, with some break points early in the set. He came up with some aces, some big serves.

“Generally, I felt always in control of the match. I felt like I’ve done everything right. I’ve won many of my service games very comfortably. I didn’t allow him to get into the rhythm, get into the match. Today’s match, and overall the tournament, it’s gone incredibly well for me.”

The week still went extremely well for Tsonga, who prevailed in consecutive three-setters over Albert Ramos-Vinolas, Kevin Anderson, and Rafael Nadal.

“I’m very satisfied,” the runner-up assured. “To come back at your best level, it’s always a long process. I’m happy today to be back really close to the top 10. Like I said just before, it gave me energy to continue to work hard and try to achieve other good things.”

Winner Novak Djokovic (L) of Serbia and runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (R) of France hold their trophies after the men’s singles final for the Shanghai Tennis Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, 18 October 2015. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA

Tsonga is going to surge six spots to No. 9 in the race to the World Tour Finals. That would put him as the first alternate, which will be especially important if Andy Murray follows through with his threat to skip it and prepare for the Davis Cup final on clay in Belgium.

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

Topics: Atp World Tour, ATP World Tour Finals, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Novak Djokovic, Shanghai Masters Tennis, Sports, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

October 18, 2015 at 5:59 pm

-@DjokerNole WINS #ShanghaiMasters TITLE, @tsonga7 MOVES INTO WORLD TOUR FINALS DISCUSSION- http://t.co/kUiSedt8wh @Dimonator #tennis
Dimonator says:

October 18, 2015 at 6:12 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@DjokerNole WINS #ShanghaiMasters TITLE, @tsonga7 MOVES INTO WORLD TOUR FINALS DISCUSSION- http://t.co/kUiSedt8wh @Dimon…
TheALLMarTy says:

October 18, 2015 at 8:41 pm

RT @GameOnTx: DJOKOVIC WINS SHANGHAI TITLE, TSONGA MOVES INTO WORLD TOUR FINALS DISCUSSION:

Novak Djokovic compl… http://t.co/IPsXFagR9W
ElenaFoundation says:

October 20, 2015 at 10:05 am

Djokovic wins in Shanghai! (via our good friends @10sBalls_com) https://t.co/13yTVUlyfe