Shanghai creating a Masterful blueprint

Excitement on and off the court highlighted Monday's opening of the Rolex Shanghai Masters and underlined its influence on Chinese tennis since the tournament's inception in 2009.

The Qizhong Tennis Center in western Shanghai was bustling as thousands of fans jostled for courtside seats to watch the afternoon practice sessions of Swiss great Roger Federer and Serbian star Novak Djokovic.

Spectator enthusiasm carried over into the evening, with loud cheering for local youngster Wu Yibing's straight-sets victory over compatriot and fellow wild card Li Zhe. The win was Wu's first on the ATP Tour and booked a second-round clash with world No 12 Kei Nishikori of Japan.