Novak Djokovic believed his straight-set triumph against Roman Safiullin at the Shanghai Masters was almost perfect, while reiterating his desire to compete at the very top. 

Djokovic, featuring in his first tournament since his shock US Open exit, was largely untroubled in a 6-3 6-2 win against the Russian on Wednesday. 

The world number four's triumph also saw him become the first player to reach 10 quarter-finals at the tournament in Shanghai, claiming his 37th victory in the process. 

Djokovic is on a quest to claim his 100th ATP tour title, hoping to join the elite club that includes only Jimmy Connor and Roger Federer who have reached that milestone. 

The Serbian had already beaten Alex Michelsen and Flavio Cobolli to reach the round of 16, and will face Czech teenager Jakub Mensik for a place in the final four. 

And the 24-time grand slam champion said his tennis at the tournament so far is bringing him "a lot of joy". 

"Very close to 10. The [past two matches] are some of the best matches I've played in a while," Djokovic said. 

"I'm enjoying myself on the court and when you play well you are feeling good, there is a lot of joy in striking a tennis ball.

"These matches and sensations are the reasons why I still play.

"I believe I can play at a high level and it's about keeping that consistency.”

Novak Djokovic saw off Roman Safiullin to reach his 10th Shanghai Masters quarter-final with a straight-sets win on Wednesday.

The Serb, a four-time champion in the tournament, rallied to a 6-3 6-2 victory in just 74 minutes.

Djokovic made a lightning-quick start, serving to love to win the opening game, but had to remain patient as he waited for an opening, which he found with a three-game winning streak at the end of the first set.

Any hopes Safiullin had of a comeback were then squashed as he saw his serve broken first in the second.

Djokovic was clinical from that point, defending a break point – his third in the match – before claiming another break on his way to a comfortable victory.

As his hunt for a 100th tour-level title goes on, Jakub Mensik now stands between Djokovic and a place in the last four.

Data Debrief: Djokovic continues Shanghai dominance

At his 95th at ATP Masters 1000 events overall, Djokovic has become the first player to reach 10 quarter-finals at the Shanghai Masters, since its inauguration in 2009.

It was also his 37th win at the tournament, extending his own record as he keeps the title in his sights.

If he can get his hands on the trophy, he would be just the third man to win 100 tour-level titles in the Open Era (after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer).

Jannik Sinner came from a set down once again to reach the quarter-finals of the China Open, beating Roman Safiullin in three sets on Saturday. 

After coming from behind in the last round against Nicolas Jarry, the Italian showed his powers of recovery once more, emerging a 3-6 6-2 6-3 victor in just over two hours. 

The world number one immediately found himself on the back foot, with Safiullin breaking his opening service game before grasping the early advantage with both hands. 

But as he did against Jarry, Sinner responded emphatically in the second, serving three of his four aces during the contest, including two love games, to send the encounter to a decider. 

From then on, the Italian never looked back. An early break set the tone, and despite missing one match point, the world number one booked his place in the last eight at the second time of asking against his plucky opponent. 

Sinner's next assignment will be Jiri Lehecka, who overcame qualifier Roberto Bautista Agut in three sets. 

Data Debrief: Comeback King

Sinner is now 9-2 on the ATP Tour in 2024 after losing the first set, with one loss coming in Monte Carlo to Stefanos Tsitsipas, who went on to win the tournament, and the other against Andrey Rublev in Montreal. 

But the Italian was far from his free-flowing best. He served up three double faults compared to Safiullin's two but did convert four of the break points he was presented with.

Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram stunned gold medal favourites Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal to reach the semi-finals of the Paris Olympics. 

In what could be Nadal's final appearance at Roland-Garros, the American duo showed no mercy, prevailing in straight sets 6-2 6-4 to advance to the next round. 

After beating Roman Safiullin to reach the quarter-finals of the singles earlier that day, Alcaraz started slowly as the Spanish pair found themselves immediately behind. 

Nadal and Alcaraz would close the gap to 3-2, but their American opponents would continue their dominance, taking the next three games to see out the first set. 

The Spaniards started much better in the second, with the pairs trading blows and each holding their own serve. 

But the decisive break would come in the seventh game, with Krajicek and Ram going to within two games of producing an unlikely upset against the pre-tournament favourites. 

The Spaniards then missed two break points to take the game to 5-5, with the Americans missing two match points of their own in a thrilling final set. 

But it was Krajicek and Ram who would emerge victorious, dumping out Nadal in what may be his last dance on the court. 

They will face Czech Republic duo Adam Pavlsek and Thomas Machac for a place in the final on Saturday. 

Data Debrief: Nadalcaraz no match for American duo

The fairytale ending for Nadal has come to an end, but it took an impressive display from Krajicek and Ram to do so.

The Americans won 25 of their 57 return points compared to Nadal and Alcaraz's 19, and converted all three of their break points. 

Carlos Alcaraz produced another stunning display as he stormed past Roman Safiullin in straight sets to book a place in the quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics.

The Spaniard, who overcame fitness concerns in his win over Tallon Griekspoor in the last round, dominated on Court Suzanne Lenglen to win 6-4 6-2 in an hour and a half.

Alcaraz made his intent clear from the start, breaking Safiullin twice in the opening three games to race into the lead.

The Russian regained his footing shortly after to make it a more even affair, but he managed just one break as Alcaraz cruised through the first set.

The 21-year-old made a similar start in the second and twice threatened to take a three-game advantage over his opponent, but Safiullin successfully defended two break points to make it 3-2.

He could not do the same on his next serve though, and Alcaraz won the last three games in a row to set up a meeting with the United States' Tommy Paul in the last eight.

Data Debrief: Just no stopping Alcaraz

Alcaraz has reached the quarter-finals in every high-profile tournament he has entered, winning the last two such events at the French Open (at Roland-Garros) and Wimbledon.

He is also the youngest player to make the men's singles quarter-finals at the Olympics since Novak Djokovic in Beijing 2008.