Shanghai Masters Final Preview: Novak Djokovic vs Juan Martin Del Potro

Juan Martin Del Potro will look for his second straight giant-killing act when he comes up against the man who is almost unbeatable at the Shanghai Masters and any tournament in China - Novak Djokovic - in the final.

Del Potro will still be buzzing from the masterclass that he produced against Rafael Nadal in the semifinal on Saturday, and will know if he shows that same form, come the final, then Djokovic will have a really difficult match on his hands.

"I play well (against Nadal)," Del Potro said. "I also couldn't play even better in some moments of the match. I didn't serve too fast today. I didn't make too many aces for playing against the No. 1 in the world. 

"That's what I need tomorrow (Sunday) against Djokovic. I need to win easy points with my serves. Hopefully my forehands and backhands work like today in the finals. I'll be aggressive like today (Saturday)."

Djokovic, who beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semifinal, has been his usual brilliant self all week, and a win against Del Potro will give him his second title in China, after defeating Nadal for the China Open title last Sunday.

"I just feel nice being here in China" Djokovic said of his success in the country. "There's some good, positive energy around these tournaments. They're organized on such a high level, both Beijing and Shanghai. There's a lot of supporters, a lot of young people who come out every day with Serbian flags that I see them. They are not just for myself, but supporting Nadal and all the other players.  Really passionate.

"I think that's a part of this good atmosphere that we get to feel when we come here. But also the courts. The time of the year for some reason is just working for me very well in the previous five years. I've always been coming out in China and making some really, really good results, winning trophies.

"For me, that's very encouraging. It's very positive because most of the people would think after the fourth Grand Slam of the year is over, that somehow the season is finished in the minds of maybe people who are not following consistently the tennis season. For me it's definitely not over. Of course, these two tournaments are one of my favourites and why I'm more successful."

Djokovic will start the final as the favourite, and will want to find a way to counter that monster forehand of Del Potro, which in full flow is near unstoppable.

Also the Serbian will be hoping his Argentine opponent does not get too hot with his serving; but then there isn't a better counter-puncher in the game than Djokovic, which is what makes this final so intriguing.

Where to watch

The final is scheduled for a 2 p.m. IST start with live coverage on Star Sports 2 and Ten Sports.