Andy Murray of Britain (right) congratulates Serbia's Novak Djokovic after losing their Shanghai Masters semi-final match yesterday. (Reuters)

DPA/Shanghai


Novak Djokovic dealt a major psychological blow to Andy Murray as he pounded out a 6-1, 6-3 victory over the misfiring Briton—his most comprehensive win against his long-time rival since 2008—to power into the final of the Shanghai Masters yesterday.
Not since Monte Carlo seven years ago, where  he crushed Murray 6-0, 6-4, had the world number one laid such a beating on a man he has now faced 29 times.
Djokovic bludgeoned his way into today's showdown at the Qi Zhong stadium against world No. 15 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who earlier rallied past Rafael Nadal 6-4, 0-6, 7-5. Djokovic had beaten Tsonga in the Shanghai semi-final two years ago.
“This was my best match of the tournament and maybe the best of this Asian tour,” said Djokovic. “It came in the right moment, playing one of my biggest rivals.
“I knew Andy was going to come out fighting, but I protected the baseline well and didn’t allow him to dictate. He didn’t serve well, and I served very well—that helped a lot. My wins have been sending the right messages and I hope I can continue this form. The final is the most important match of the week and I’m playing a guy who is performing well. This is one of the biggest events of the season. All the best players were in the draw. I don’t want to stop here.”
Djokovic claimed his 15th consecutive match win dating to the start of the US Open nearly two months ago and is on the brink of a 10th title in his happy hunting ground of China.
He has won 37 of his last 38 matches in China, has never lost in the China Open in Beijing (29-0) and is 23-3 in Shanghai since it became a Masters in 2008.
Djokovic stands a perfect 9-0 in Chinese finals.
The world number one came to Shanghai after claiming a sixth trophy in Beijing and could earn a hat-trick in the country’s commercial capital if he defeats Tsonga to take revenge for a loss in the Toronto final in 2014.
Djokovic leads the Frenchman 13-7 in their series, winning 11 of their last 13 matches.
The Serb top seed will be playing a final at his seventh consecutive Masters 1000 event.
Tsonga gained ground in the race to next month’s season final in London, moving up to provisional ninth from 12th with four spots to be decided over the next three weeks in Europe.
“All along the season I worked hard to be able to play these matches,” said Tsonga, playing his fourth Masters final. “When it happens, I’m really happy to have worked hard because I know I can count on my body.
“It’s something great for me because it was not always like this.  Today I’m a lot stronger than I was maybe few years ago. I think it’s good for me. This surface is one of my favourites. I know I’m able to play good tennis. Before I came here, I didn’t know if I will be able to play that good. I hope it’s going to continue.”
Tsonga stands 8-1 since the US Open, with a September title in Metz. The Frenchman dominated Nadal with 40 winners, winning the opening set in 45 minutes before coming up blank in the second as Nadal fought back.
But Tsonga broke late for 6-5 in the third and ended it on a first match point a game later after two and a quarter hours.
Nadal improved to fifth in the in the London race, passing stalled Czech Tomas Berdych and becoming next in the queue to qualify alongside Djokovic, Roger Federer, Murray and Stan Wawrinka.
“I lost against a player who played very well,” said Nadal. “I congratulate him. He was a little bit better than me and that’s why he is in the final. “It’s been a very positive two tournaments. Reaching (the final in Beijing against Djokovic as well as his Shanghsi semi) in tournaments that are not easy for me. I was able to win a lot of matches.
“I’m playing at a good level again. It’s been one of the most positive two tournaments in a row on hard court of the year without a doubt. The feelings are that I am getting better and better.”