Shanghai Masters: Stefanos Tsitsipas Outshines Novak Djokovic To Reach Semi-finals

Novak Djokovic has suffered a shock defeat to Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas and ended his title defense in the quarter-finals on Friday.

The four-time champion was outlasted in a fightback from Stefanos, who after losing an opener raced through to win in three sets, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 and improved for a 2-1 lead in head-to-head series against the world no. 1.

"I felt my serve was going very well today and I wasn't struggling with it too much," Stefanos said afterward. "That was an extra boost for me out there. I am really happy that I pulled out a great victory like this"

Meanwhile, Djokovic enjoyed a brilliant start in the opener, taking a 2-0 lead for an early break and converted a breakpoint which was the only one he had through the stretch to claim the set.

Stefanos came back stronger in the second and put up a battle against the title defender who was near force a tiebreak but hit a forehand long to lose the set. Djokovic waned out in aggression in the decider which the Greek player breezed through to win the match.

Novak Djokovic is the tournament's all-time biggest winner with four titles

"I played really well and felt in the zone in the second and third set in the rallies we were playing," the Greek man added. "Knowing I could face him from the baseline."

The 21-year-old deployed the use of his forehand groundstrokes to fend off aggression from the Serb and off course that paid off for him.

He now set up a semi-final match against Russian player Daniil Medvedev who defeated Fabio Fognini in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(4).