Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his victory at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai, China, October 5, 2024. /CFP
Novak Djokovic is on course for a fifth Shanghai Masters title after getting the better of Alex Michelsen in two tiebreaks during Saturday's second round meeting.
Djokovic, still donning a protective sleeve over his right knee, made a slow start in only his second match since losing to Alexei Popyrin in the US Open third round. However, the four-time champion, who is appearing in this event for the first time since 2019, hit a backhand winner to take the first set tiebreaker 7-3.
The 24-time major winner demonstrated his determination when the pressure intensified. However, Michelsen showed no sign of giving up. The tennis legend has now won 33 consecutive ATP matches against American opponents, with his last defeat coming against Sam Querrey at Wimbledon in 2016.
The World No. 4 took the set and match as Michelsen hit a forehand return long. He will face Flavio Cobolli or Stan Wawrinka in the next round.
Alexander Zverev of Germany hits a return to Italy's Mattia Bellucci (not pictured) during their match at the Shanghai Masters in Shanghai, China, October 5, 2024. /CFP
In other action, World No. 3 Alexander Zverev showed the sort of form that took him to the final here in 2019, defeating Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-2 in the second round on Saturday. The second-seeded Zverev hit a winner at end of the rally, en route to win the first set 6-4.
Bellucci, but in a first meeting between the two men, the Italian proved no match for one of the top performers on the ATP tour this year. Zverev went on to win the set and the match 6-4, 6-2.