Tsonga back with a bang in Shanghai

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has won for the first time since retiring from his quarterfinal match at the US Open, beating Florian Mayer 6-3 6-2 in the opening round of the Shanghai Masters.

Tsonga, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the Shanghai final last year, had 12 aces against Mayer and saved all five break points he faced.

The ninth-seeded Frenchman hasn’t played since retiring with a knee injury against Djokovic at at Flushing Meadows last month after dropping the first two sets.

In other matches, rising German star Alexander Zverev and his older brother Mischa both moved into the second round with straight-set victories.

Alexander, ranked No. 21, defeated John Isner 6-4 6-2, while Mischa beat Zhang Ze 6-1 6-2.

Canadian qualifier Vasek Pospisil earned just his ninth victory of the season, edging Ivo Karlovic 7-6(5) 6-4.

Other winners included American qualifier Taylor Fritz, who beat Stephane Robert of France 7-6(2) 2-6 6-3 and Kyle Edmund of Britain defeated Federico Delbonis of Argentina 6-3 5-7 6-4.

Djokovic, the top-seeded player and three-time champion, plays his first match since his runner-up finish at the US Open on Tuesday against Fabio Fognini of Italy.