World News Korner

Shanghai (AFP) - Defending champion Novak Djokovic swept aside Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 7-5 on Saturday, as a mouthwatering Shanghai Masters title showdown loomed against world number one Rafael Nadal.

The powerful Tsonga came into the semi-final at the Qizhong Tennis Center with a miserable run of eight consecutive defeats against the top seed, but had not dropped a set all week.

However, he landed just 46 percent of first serves in an ultimately one-sided first set, and despite a better performance in the second he cracked in the 12th game as Djokovic completed a straight-sets win.