One motivation for Federer to play Shanghai, regardless of whether he ends up at number 1 at the end of the year, was to extend his streak of weeks at number 1.  Currently, Federer leads Djokovic by 835 points.  If Djokovic wins Shanghai, an event he skipped last year, he would pick up 1000 points.  For Federer to stay head, he needs at least 170 points.  That means, he needs to reach the quarterfinals where he earns 180 points.

For his part, Federer claimed 299 weeks vs. 300 doesn’t mean that much to him.  The record’s already broken.  But others like the nice round number of 300 as a target.

Stan Wawrinka, Federer’s Davis Cup partner, didn’t make it easy on Federer.  Despite numerous losses to the Swiss maestro, Wawrinka came out attacking with his backhand, secured a break, and nearly had a second, before closing out the first set, 64.  The second set was even all the way and went to a tiebreak where Federer took an early lead to a 74 tiebreak score.  Finally, Federer ran away with the third set, 60, thus guaranteeing he’ll reach 300 weeks at number 1.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic continues to have play at a high level and won over Feliciano Lopez 63 63.

Andy Murray hadn’t played as of today because his opponent Florian Mayer withdrew.  Today, he faced the dangerous Alex Dolgopolov.  Despite his flashy style, Dolgopolov can play erratically, and today, he piled the errors up, as Murray kept Dolgo in longer rallies waiting for the inevitable misfire.  Only once in the second set, when Murray gave up a break lead he had, did he get upset with himself, but otherwise cruised to a 62 62 win.

In general, the higher seeds won their matches.  Cilic knocked out a resurgent Verdasco in 3 sets.  Tsonga beat Baghdatis in straights.  Berdych needed 3 sets to beat Querrey.  The only upset was the quirky Stepanek who used his net skills and unusual style to knock out Isner in 3 sets.

The quarterfinals are set.  Federer plays Cilic.  Murray plays Stepanek.  Tsonga plays Berdych in the match of two top ten players.  Tommy Haas plays Novak Djokovic.