Djokovic makes winning return at Shanghai Masters
Novak Djokovic made a winning return to action by beating Fabio Fognini 6-3 6-3 in the second round of the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday.
The world number one – back on court for the first time since losing the US Open final to Stan Wawrinka – arrived in Shanghai having withdrawn from last week’s China Open with an elbow injury, while a relatively poor run of form since completing a career Grand Slam has left him trying to rediscover his love for the sport.
Despite occasional glimpses of a threat from the Italian, Djokovic was sure to keep Fognini at arm’s length and came away with a relatively comfortable victory.
Defending champion Djokovic was quick out of the blocks and issued an immediate signal of intent when he broke Fognini’s serve on his way to winning the first three games of the match.
The Serbian initially looked comfortable on his own serve, but he had to overcome two break points to hold for a 5-2 advantage, with Fognini visibly frustrated by his inability to make Djokovic pay.
Djokovic was not at his dominant best but wrapped up the opening set at the third time of asking as Fognini went wide at the end of another tight game.
Fognini finally took a chance to break in the second game of the second set, benefiting from a Djokovic double fault, but only after he had been broken himself in the previous game.
A break to love put Djokovic back on the front foot at 4-3 up and the 12-time grand slam winner saw out the match to set up a third-round clash with Grigor Dimitrov or Vasek Pospisil.
