Shanghai Masters 2014 Daily Update, 10/8: Rafael Nadal goes down

Shanghai Masters 2014: Daily Update, 10/8

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Round 2 of the Shanghai Masters got underway on Wednesday with a mouth-watering day of tennis on show. The top eight seeds all received byes through the First Round and made their first appearances in Shanghai, with shocks aplenty throughout a busy day of action.

It was a day with high stakes at the top of the game, with the likes of Nadal, Federer and Djokovic all looking to assert themselves as the form player on the tour. However, it is the story lines of the other men in and around the top 10 that has proved to be fascinating to follow. It has added an extra spice to proceedings and it is amazing to see what the pressure to qualify for the World Tour Finals is doing to some of the players.

STADIUM

Gilles Simon beat [4] Stan Wawrinka 5-7 7-5 6-4

Jack Sock beat [7] Kei Nishikori 7-6(5) 6-4

[1] Novak Djokovic beat Dominic Thiem 6-3 6-4

Feliciano Lopez beat [2] Rafael Nadal 6-3 7-6

[3] Roger Federer (SUI) v Leonardo Mayer – still to play

The biggest shock of the day in Shanghai, of which there were many, came from Feliciano Lopez, who defeated fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in straight sets. We learned yesterday that Nadal was suffering from the early stages of appendicitis and he never got into a rhythm against Lopez. He was dropping the dangerously short and even relinquished a 4-1 lead in the second set as he continues to struggle following his return from injury. All eyes will now be on Nadal to see whether he has surgery, which may well end his season prematurely.

Elsewhere American youngster shocked the in-form Kei Nishikori in straight sets. Nishikori was struggling with back problems, but take nothing away from Sock, who produced some blistering forehands en route to a surprise victory. Novak Djokovic continued his winning run with an easy victory against Dominic Thiem, but Stanislas Wawrinka couldn’t do the same, falling to Gilles Simon as his struggle continue.

GRANDSTAND

[5] David Ferrer beat Martin Klizan 4-6 7-6(4) 6-4

[11] Andy Murray beat Jerzy Janowicz 7-5 6-2

[6] Tomas Berdych beat Richard Gasquet 6-3 6-1

[WC] Juan Monaco beat Milos Raonic 5-2 (Raonic withdrew)

The performance of the day has to go to Andy Murray, who looked in top form against Jerzy Janowicz, breaking his serve three times which is no mean feat. He will face David Ferrer in the third round after the Spaniard fought admirably to get past Martin Klizan, who upset Rafael Nadal in Bejing last week.

Thomas Berdych showed that his 6-0, 6-2 loss to Djokovic last week was simply a temporary blip as he crushed Richard Gasquet in straight sets. The draw has opened up for the Czech player, who will be looking for another run the final which will give him a great chance of making the Top 8 in the Race and making the world Tour Finals.

OTHER COURTS

Julien Benneteau beat [10] Grigor Dimitrov 7-5 6-3

[13] John Isner beat Steve Johnson 7-6(6) 7-6(7)

Elsewhere, Grigor Dimitrov’s post-Wimbledon lull continued as he lost tamely to Julien Benneteau. John Inser won an all American clash with Steve Johnson on two tie-breaks and could be a good tip to go deep in Shanghai, given the shocks that have occurred today.

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