Federer and Djokovic on course for Shanghai Masters showdown

                                         

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic stayed on course for a Shanghai Masters showdown in Sunday's final as they both made it through to the quarter-finals on Thursday.

Federer was made to work hard for his 6-3 2-6 6-4 win against Roberto Bautista Agut to make it eight wins in a row against the Spaniard.

The world No 2 will tackle Kei Nishikori in the last eight after the eighth seed came through against American big-hitter Sam Querrey 7-6 (9-7) 6-4.

Djokovic enjoyed a measure of revenge as he booked his spot in the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals with a comfortable 6-4 6-0 victory against Marco Cecchinato.

The Serb was stunned by the Italian in the French Open quarter-finals earlier this year, but the world No 3, who is now gunning for Rafael Nadal's No 1 ranking, showed the kind of form which saw him explode back to life by winning Wimbledon, the Cincinnati Masters and US Open.

He eased his way past the 16th seed in just under 70 minutes to set up a meeting against South Africa's Kevin Anderson after the seventh seed beat Greek youngster Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 7-6 (7-1).

"I was making him play always an extra shot," Djokovic said. "I was aggressive when I needed to be. The second set was perfect, really.

"I wanted to start off well because I know that he battles hard and he makes you deserve every point, win every point."

They will join Britain's Kyle Edmund, who will next play No 4 seed Alexander Zverev, in the final eight of the China tournament.