Djokovic storms into quarters

SHANGHAI — Top-ranked Novak Djokovic dropped a hint that he may split with coach Boris Becker Thursday, as Nick Kyrgios was hit with a big fine for his Shanghai Masters meltdown. 
Djokovic, who says he is taking a fresh mental approach after struggling in recent months, revealed that he had made no plans about retaining Becker in his team next year. 
“We are still working (together), yeah... for now the plan is the rest of the season, what’s left, indoor tournaments,” said Djokovic, after reaching the Shanghai quarterfinals. 
Speculation about their partnership has grown since the Serb suffered a crisis of motivation and a series of injuries since completing a career Grand Slam at the French Open. 
Djokovic lost in Wimbledon’s third round and in round one at the Olympics before reaching the US Open final, while also enduring wrist and elbow problems and admitting “private issues”. 
“I don’t think about any trophies or number ones in the world, rankings, anything like that. It’s completely different,” he said this week, explaining his new approach. 
Djokovic skipped last week’s China Open with his wrist injury but he was in impeccable form as he dismantled Canadian qualifier Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 6-4 Thursday. 
Second-ranked Andy Murray, who is gunning for Djokovic’s world No. 1 crown, was even more impressive as he walloped Lucas Pouille 6-1, 6-3. 
Separately Australia’s Kyrgios received a $16,500 fine after his extraordinary 6-3, 6-1 defeat to 110th-ranked Mischa Zverev where he tanked points and argued with fans. 
The combustible world No. 14 received the maximum $10,000 fine for “lack of best efforts”, plus $5,000 for abusing a spectator and another $1,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct. 
In further action Thursday, America’s Jack Sock beat Milos Raonic 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10/8), ending a run of eight straight defeats to the Canadian fifth seed. Last year's finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga ousted racquet-smashing teenager Alexander Zverev 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 7-5 to set up a last-eight clash with Roberto Bautista. 
Alexander's 110th-ranked elder brother, Mischa, also beat Marcel Granollers 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-1 to earn a meeting with Djokovic. 
Later, France's Gilles Simon stunned US Open champion Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-4. He will play Sock in the quarterfinals Friday. 
Twelfth-ranked David Goffin beat Gael Monfils 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 for his first win against the Frenchman and a quarterfinal match-up with the in-form Murray. Venus Williams knocked out Venus Williams was eliminated from the Hong Kong Open Thursday by France's Alize Cornet after a tightly fought match. 
The 49th-ranked Cornet beat the American, ranked 14 in the world, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 in a match that lasted 2 hours and 7 minutes. 
She will face defending champion Jelena Jankovic of Serbia at the next stage. 
Top seed Angelique Kerber of Germany won her match against America's Louisa Chirico, which was suspended after a little over two sets on Wednesday when rain stopped play. 
Kerber dominated in the third set on Thursday, ultimately winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, and is in the top spot on the road to Singapore's WTA finals. She will play Australia's Daria Gavrilova in the next round. Easy for Radwanska Top seed Agnieszka Radwanska enjoyed a rapid win in the WTA Tianjin Open second round Thursday, demolishing her opponent Evgeniya Rodina 6-1, 6-1. The only other seed in action Thursday, Puerto Rican Monica Puig, also had a straight sets win, disposing of Spain’s Lara Arruabarrena 6-4, 6-2. 
Low-ranked American Alison Riske continued her quest for a repeat, beating Poland’s Magda Linette 6-3, 7-6 (7/2).
 Keys in quarterfinals Madison Keys advanced to the quarterfinals of the Generali Ladies by defeating Misaki Doi of Japan 6-2, 6-0 Thursday. 
Keys will next play French qualifier Oceane Dodin. 
Also, defending champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia recovered from dropping 4-1 behind in the opening set to beat Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium 6-4, 7-6 (2). 
Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland defeated Julia Goerges of Germany 7-5, 6-4 to set up a quarterfinal match against either top-seeded Garbine Muguruza or Monica Niculescu of Romania.