Novak Djokovic is into yet another Shanghai Masters quarter-final after beating Roman Safiullin in the round of 16.
Djokovic beat Flavio Cobolli to set up the meeting with Safiullin, who shocked Frances Tiafoe in their round of 32 match.
Tiafoe apologised after insulting the umpire during that Shanghai Masters clash, which the American lost despite taking the first set.
But Djokovic had no such issues against Safiullin, with the Serbian remaining on track to win a 100th tour-level title.
Djokovic began in Shanghai by beating Alex Michelsen, with Jakub Mensik now standing between the Serbian and a semi-final spot.
Novak Djokovic breaks Shanghai Masters record
The veteran would follow in the footsteps of fellow Open Era legends Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer if he was to clinch his 100th success.
Djokovic is, however, now out on his own at the Shanghai Masters, with the Serbia star becoming the first player to reach 10 quarter-finals at the competition since its inception in 2009, as per OptaAce.
Novak Djokovic chases record-extending fifth Shanghai Masters title
Djokovic is undoubtedly the player to beat in Shanghai, with the 37-year-old having won the tournament a record four times.
The fourth seed has yet to drop a set in the current competition, and is showing signs of his best tennis for some time after a difficult summer.
But clinching that 100th tour-level title won’t be an easy feat, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner also into the quarter-finals.
READ MORE: Shanghai Masters 2024: How to watch, prize money, dates and everything you need to know
Top seed Sinner has been drawn to face fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in an exciting encounter, with third seed Alcaraz taking on 30th seed Tomas Machac.
Not only is Djokovic chasing a century of wins, but he will also have one eye on the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, with the Serbian currently occupying eighth place after his latest win.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
