Battling Djokovic almost down but not out

Novak Djokovic banished exhaustion and played through an ankle injury scare to make it to the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters on Oct 7, beating Spain's Jaume Munar 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.

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Serbia's Novak Djokovic leaving everything on the Shanghai Masters court as he overcomes Jaume Munar of Spain 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in the last 16 on Oct 7. His next opponent is Belgium's Zizou Bergs. PHOTO: AFP

(PHOTO: AFP)

The victory keeps Djokovic on track as the favourite to take a record-extending fifth title in the Chinese financial hub, with other top seeds already withdrawn or knocked out.

The 38-year-old almost looked like he might not be able to continue when the match went to a decider, but conjured up the energy to break his decade-younger opponent twice in the third set.

"Thank you, thank you everyone, I love you!" he shouted in Chinese to the adoring crowd before leaving the court almost immediately after play finished.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion had a good start, breaking in the fourth game, but shortly afterwards had to take a medical break when his left ankle slid out behind him as he rushed towards the net.

He grimaced in pain as he was attended to by an on-court physio, but managed to resume to hold the fifth game.