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 The Serbian, 10-times a grand slam champion, brushed aside the
challenge of a befuddled Tsonga 6-1 6-4 to claim his third Shanghai
Masters and ninth title of a standout year that has left him being
spoken of among the sport's all-time greats.
Djokovic won three grand slams this year, was runner-up at the
French Open and since suffering a surprise quarter-final loss to Ivo
Karlovic in Qatar in January has made the final of all 13 events he
has played.
The 30-year-old Tsonga had shown his serving prowess in taking out
Rafa Nadal in three tight sets in the semi-finals on Saturday but
against the imperious returning skills of Djokovic he had no
answers.
The 28-year-old Serb nullified Tsonga's most potent weapon to break
his three opening service games and take a first set which the
Frenchman played predominantly way behind the baseline.
Things improved for Tsonga at the start of the second set where he
worked hard to fight off break points and stay on serve through the
opening eight games as the Serb sauntered through his own service.
But the pressure proved too much, Djokovic pummeling balls to all
angles with supreme court coverage at the expense of just eight
unforced errors and he broke at the third attempt in the crucial
ninth game and served out for victory.
SERVICE RETURNS
"Today the key was to get as many serves back into play to Jo
because he has one of the biggest serves in the game," Djokovic told
the ATP website (www.atpworldtour.com).
"He has shown that in the second set, with some break points early
in the set. He came up with some aces, some big serves."
It was a second straight tournament Djokovic had won without
dropping a set after he landed his sixth China Open title in Beijing
last week. The Serb now boasts a 38-1 win loss record on the Chinese
hardcourts.
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"Generally I felt always in control of the match. I felt like I've
done everything right. I didn't allow him to get into the rhythm,
get into the match," he said.
Tsonga will be comforted by his strong showing in China, which
helped move him up to ninth in the race to qualify for the eight man
end-of-season ATP Tour Finals in London next month.
"The first set went quick," Tsonga said. "It's not easy to stop him.
He is really consistent on his return. Today I didn't serve well
enough, especially in the first set.
"After that, in the second, I served a little bit better, and it
gave me the opportunity to have a chance on his serve. But finally I
was not able to do it."
The victory was Djokovic's 57th ATP Tour title, moving him within
two of Nadal's mark of 27 Masters Series crowns and took his prize
money for the year past a record $16 million.
(Writing by Patrick Johnston in Singapore, editing by Ed Osmond/Alan
Baldwin)
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