Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer notched up contrasting victories to reach the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals on Thursday while David Ferrer fought back from a set down to knock out Andy Murray.
World No. 1 Djokovic laboured to a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over plucky Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin who matched the Serb shot for shot for most of the third round match before being overpowered in the third set.
Two-time champion Djokovic, who extended his winning streak in China to 27 matches, sealed a quarterfinal clash with Ferrer, who beat Murray 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 earlier in the day.
Spaniard Ferrer will replace Murray in ninth spot in the race for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London. There are five berths still up for grabs in the eight-man tournament.
Great comeback
Murray, ranked 11th, had little trouble in the first set and looked poised for a quarterfinals berth, but Ferrer staged a brilliant comeback, breaking the Briton twice to take the second and level the match.
There was no let up in the final set either as the Spaniard raced to a 5-2 lead and raised his arms in celebration when twice champion Murray buried a return into the net.
Federer had little problem taming Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-2 to set up a clash with Frenchman Julien Benneteau.
Fognini fined
World No. 17 Fabio Fognini was fined $2,000 for making an obscene gesture to fans.
The results: Men: Third round: David Ferrer bt Andy Murray 2-6, 6-1, 6-2; Tomas Berdych bt Ivo Karlovic 6-3, 6-4; Gilles Simon bt Malek Jaziri 6-2, 6-3; Julien Bennateau bt Jack Sock 6-3, 6-4.
Novak Djokovic bt Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 4-6, 6-4; Mikhail Youzhny bt Juan Monaco 5-7, 6-3, 6-2; Feliciano Lopez bt John Isner 6-3, 6-4; Roger Federer bt Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-2.
