Paris (AFP)

Novak Djokovic continues to hover at the Masters 1000 Shanghai where he qualified without shudder Thursday for the quarterfinals, unlike Roger Federer who was scared.

The world No.1 was able to contain the service of John Isner (17th) to dominate the American 7-5, 6-3 in just 1h14.

"There is still work, but I'm happy with the way I play," commented the Serb, recovered from the shoulder injury that forced him to retire in the 8th at the US Open.

Djoko, whose place at the top of the world hierarchy is threatened by Rafael Nadal at the end of the season, will continue the defense of his title in Shanghai on Friday against Stefanos Tsitsipas (7th) who has easily dismissed Hubert Hurkacz (34th) 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5).

Thursday, facing one of the best servers of the circuit, Djokovic has shown that he was himself one of the best players in the history of tennis.

He conceded only 9 aces against a player who scored this year on average 22 per game.

"I tried to be well positioned, it's a lot of technical details and the experience of having often played," detailed Djokovic to explain how he managed to be so successful on the service Isner. The two men have faced each other 12 times since 2010 and the Serb has won ten times.

Implacable and never worried about his own service - he did not concede a single break-ball - it was even him, Djokovic, who concluded the match on ace, his 9th of the game.

- "It was hard" -

With four trophies in Shanghai, Djokovic who remains on a title at the Tokyo ATP 500 last week, is the player who has the most in the Chinese megalopolis, ahead of Andy Murray (3 times) and Roger Federer (2 ).

The latter, who had also abandoned at the US Open, in the quarterfinals, makes his return to competition.

And he felt the wind of the ball against David Goffin (14th), finally dismissed 7-6 (9/7), 6-4.

"It was hard, we had chances both in the first set, he more than me," commented Federer "I was successful in winning this first set and it was crucial, but I'm still there and it gives me confidence.

For the Belgian, who is aiming for a place at the Masters of London (10-17 November), played very well.

He led 6-5 in the first set, but, stretched out on the three set balls he got, he ended up letting Switzerland equalize at 6-6. Despite two new set balls in the tie break, Goffin missed his chance.

Even if he did not completely extinguish the resistance of Goffin, winning this set Federer however took the ascendancy and did not let himself take in a new decisive game.

- Quart with character -

He will meet in quarterback Alexander Zverev (6th) who eliminated Andrey Rublev (33rd) 6-0, 7-6 (7/4).

The third quarterfinal will have character since it will contrast the choleric Daniil Medvedev (4th) to the whimsical Fabio Fognini (12th), two players who won this year their first Masters 1000, respectively in Cincinnati and Monte Carlo.

The Russian who has reached the finals of the last five tournaments he has played, including the US Open, and has won two (Cincinnati and St. Petersburg), has struggled to beat Vasek Pospisil (248), 7-6 (9). -7), 7-5, saving in particular 5 set balls in the first run.

For his part, Fognini dismissed another Russian, Karen Khachanov (9th), 6-3, 7-5. Medvedev is already certain to participate in the London Masters, Fognini can still dream.

Finally, Matteo Berrettini (13th) and Dominic Thiem (5th) will compete last place in half.

The Italian, semi-finalist at Flushing Meadows and in the race for London, dismissed Roberto Bautista (10th) 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, while the Austrian, already qualified for the Masters has very easily defeated by Nikoloz Basilashvili (26) 6-3, 6-4.

© 2019 AFP