Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer notched up contrasting victories to reach the Shanghai Masters last eight yesterday while David Ferrer fought back from a set down to beat Andy Murray.

Djokovic laboured to a 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory over Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin who matched the Serb shot for shot for most of the third round match before being overpowered in the third set.

Djokovic broke Kukushkin for a 5-3 lead before closing out the first set but the Kazakh roared back into contention to stretch the contest to a decider.

Djokovic broke his opponent in the fifth game of the third set to extend his winning streak in China to 27 matches and seal a quarter-final clash with Ferrer, who beat Murray 2-6 6-1 6-2 .

Spaniard Ferrer will replace Murray in ninth spot in the race for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London. There are five berths still up for grabs in the eight-man tournament.

Murray, ranked 11th, had little trouble in the first set and looked poised for a quarter-finals berth, but Ferrer staged a brilliant comeback, breaking the Briton twice to take the second and level the match.

There was no let-up in the final set either as the Spaniard raced to a 5-2 lead and raised his arms in celebration when twice champion Murray buried a return into the net.

“I needed to play my best tennis today,” Ferrer said.

“I think this match was very important for both players. Today was a good victory.”

Murray joins world number two Rafa Nadal, Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka and US Open finalist Kei Nishikori in exiting the tournament before the quarter-final stage.

Federer had little problem taming Roberto Bautista Agut6-4 6-2 to set up a clash with Frenchman Julien Benneteau who overcame American Jack Sock in straight sets.

After squandering five break points, Federer finally broke his opponent in the 10th game to win the opening set and raced to a 5-2 lead in the second before sealing his victory when Bautista Agut’s return crashed into the net.

Czech Tomas Berdych boosted his hopes of securing one of the five remaining places in London with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Ivo Karlovic, who hit 19 aces in the third-round clash.

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