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Novak Djokovic dealt stunning blow at Shanghai Masters

Defending champion Novak Djokovic's hopes of finishing the year ranked world No.1 have suffered a blow with a quarter-final defeat by Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Shanghai Masters.

The young Greek, struggling in recent months after a stellar start to the season, was superb on Friday in a 3-6 7-5 6-3 victory in just over two hours, claiming a second career win over Djokovic.

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"He deserved the victory," Djokovic said. "He was the better player in the second and third sets. I started well in the first set, but I wasn't sharp enough."

Tsitsipas will face third seed Daniil Medvedev in the final four on Saturday after the Russian's dismissal of Italy's Fabio Fognini, 6-3 7-6 (7-4).

A single break was enough for Djokovic to serve out the first set, but the 32-year-old Serb's performance wavered in the second.

At 5-6, he double-faulted to offer Tsitsipas a set point and the 21-year-old grabbed his chance.

Tsitsipas won a long rally to level the match and end Djokovic's run of 14-consecutive sets at the tournament.

The world No.7 remained persistent and patient in lengthy exchanges to find the match-winning opportunity in the third set.

Djokovic, a 16-time major winner, misfired a backhand to concede a break and a 3-1 deficit before Tsitsipas extended the gap with an ace.

Novak Djokovic, pictured at the Shanghai Masters, has a tough task ahead of him to retain the #1 rank.
Novak Djokovic's hopes of ending the season ranked #1 took a hit after a loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Shanghai Masters. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)

Tsitsipas served successfully for the match at 5-3, which finished Djokovic's campaign for a fifth Shanghai title and 34th at Masters level.

Tsitsipas' win ensures he will debut at next month's elite season-ending ATP Finals in London.

Second seed Roger Federer will face German Alexander Zverev later on Friday for a place in the semi-finals against Italy's Matteo Berrettini or Austrian Dominic Thiem.

Federer equals Nadal record

Roger Federer has equalled Rafael Nadal’s incredible haul of 381 Masters 1000 match victories after a two-set victory of David Goffin.

The second seed saved five set points in the opening set against Belgium's Goffin on his way to a 7-6 (7), 6-4 victory.

The 38-year-old Swiss now faces Alexander Zverev after the German came through 6-0 7-6 (4) against Russian opponent Andrey Rublev.

"I never really felt like I had the upper hand over David today," Federer said.

"I thought he took really a lot of good decisions, and he was super fast on his feet today, which I think made it really hard for me to get my freebies and winners off the baseline."

But the victory helped lift the Swiss maestro to an incredible 381 career victories at a Masters 1000 event, equalling Nadal.

Novak Djokovic is in third place with 350 victories.

Federer has also won 28 Masters 1000 titles in his illustrious career.