Novak Djokovic made a significant move in his bid to regain the World No. 1 ranking on Saturday, cruising past Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-1 at the Rolex Shanghai Masters to guarantee a return to World No. 2.
Competing in his 1000th tour-level match (827-173), the three-time champion defeated Zverev in exactly one hour to reach his fourth final at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event (3-0), reports ATP World Tour website.
As a result of reaching the championship match, Djokovic will surpass defending champion Roger Federer to for the No. 2 spot when the next edition of the ATP Rankings are published on 15 October.
If Djokovic, who last held the No. 2 ranking on 11 June 2017, wins his fourth Shanghai trophy, he will move just 35 points behind No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the ATP Race To London.
"It's important [to get back to No. 2] and I am grateful that I have this achievement. I'm proud of it," said Djokovic. "Obviously I worked hard for it, and my ultimate goal is to get to No. 1 by the end of the year. I'm in a good way.
"Being No. 2 after this tournament is also a great achievement, considering the first four or five months of the year and considering I had the surgery. Where I was about four months ago and where I am today is quite an extreme opposite. I'm just cherishing that achievement and every moment spent on the court."
Djokovic, who did not face a break point en route to victory, will put an impressive unbeaten record on the line when he meets Roger Federer or Borna Coric on Sunday. The 31-year-old owns a 10-0 record in Chinese finals, having triumphed in each championship match he has contested in Beijing (6-0) and the Rolex Shanghai Masters (3-0). Djokovic also captured the 2008 Nitto ATP Finals trophy when the event was held in Shanghai.
