Novak Djokovic produced a clinical display to beat Flavio Cobolli in the third round of the Shanghai Masters.
The four-time champion needed only 64 minutes to dispatch Italian Cobolli 6-1 6-2 and set up a fourth-round meeting with Russia’s Roman Safiullin.
Djokovic, playing his first ATP Tour event since the US Open, had looked a little rusty in his first match against Alex Michelsen but was sharp from the start here and cruised through.
“From the beginning I had a clear game plan of what I need to do, staying aggressive and use every short ball to take the initiative in the point, and I’ve done that,” said Djokovic.
“Cobolli was evidently exhausted after last night’s match. I think that has taken a toll physically on him today.”
Wet weather has badly affected the schedule in Shanghai and Cobolli had come through a two-and-a-half-hour tussle with Stan Wawrinka on Monday.
Safiullin upset 13th seed Frances Tiafoe, who launched an expletive-laden rant at the umpire following his 5-7 7-5 7-6 (5) defeat, having been given a time violation at 5-5 in the deciding tie-break.