streak speaks to a little bit more of the consistency of hi

SHANGHAI -- Both feeling refreshed and recharged, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray each won in straight sets Thursday to reach the quarterfinals at the Shanghai Masters.The top-ranked Djokovic was broken once in a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Vasek Pospisil, improving his record at the tournament to 26-3. Murray was even better: He won 21 of 22 points on his first serve and made only 10 errors in a 6-1, 6-3 win over 13th-seeded Lucas Pouille.Both players have said they feel energized this week after taking time off following the U.S. Open.Djokovic hasnt played at all because of an elbow injury, pulling out of the China Open in Beijing last week. He said he used the time away to recover after a mentally exhausting summer, find more balance in his life, and rediscover his passion for the game.Djokovic said the rest and mental adjustments are already helping him on the court, too. Despite dropping serve once, he said he played a nearly complete match against Pospisil.I was very pleased with the way I have played from the first to last point, Djokovic said. I dont think I have dropped my level at all.Murray has played more in recent weeks, leading Britain against Argentina in the Davis Cup semifinals and then capturing the China Open title. But he also had some downtime.My body felt so much better after taking like seven, eight days off of complete rest, which I hadnt had for quite a long time, Murray said. Im really, really happy and glad now that I did that. Its obviously working out well for me just now.Murray hasnt dropped a set in his last eight matches, going back to his victory over Guido Pella in the Davis Cup last month.U.S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka didnt look nearly as fresh on Thursday. The third-seeded Swiss player had 43 unforced errors in a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Gilles Simon.Sixth-seeded Gael Monfils was knocked out of the tournament, too. He fell to David Goffin 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.In other matches, Jack Sock notched another breakthrough in whats been his best season on tour, rebounding to beat Milos Raonic 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8) and reach his first Masters-level quarterfinal. He saved two match points in the tiebreaker.It was also Socks first win over Raonic since 2013; he had lost eight straight to the Canadian since then, many ending in tiebreakers.Weve had a lot of close matches, Sock said. It feels great to finally get one and win a tiebreak against him. Its been a couple of years.The highlight of Socks year came at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where he won the gold medal in mixed doubles and bronze in mens doubles -- the only tennis player to win more than one. He also reached a career-high ranking of No. 22 and made the fourth round at the U.S. Open.He next plays Simon for a spot in the semifinals.Alexander and Mischa Zverev had a chance to put the brothers in the final eight, but only one prevailed.Mischa, ranked No. 110, beat Marcel Granollers 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-1 to become the first qualifier to reach a Masters quarterfinal this year. Playing simultaneously on the stadium court, younger brother Alexander lost to ninth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-7 (4), 6-2, 7-5.Mischa Zverev next plays Djokovic. Murray, on the bottom half of the draw, will face Goffin. Detroit Tigers Gear . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. Custom Detroit Tigers Jerseys . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. https://www.cheaptigers.com/ . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Detroit Tigers Pro Shop . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. Fake Tigers Jerseys . With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often appeared content to keep the ball in play. When a season of high expectations started for Minnesota, a mid-September series at Target Field between the Twins and the visiting Detroit Tigers was expected to be a fight for postseason position.Playoffs are still in the picture for Detroit. But the optimism created by the Twins 83-79 record in 2015 ended quickly and has led to another long summer as Minnesota begins its final homestand of the season.The Twins send left-hander Hector Santiago (12-8, 4.65 ERA) to the mound to start a three-game series against Detroit on Tuesday. The Tigers counter with left-hander Matt Boyd (5-4, 4.43).While Minnesota (55-95) tries to avoid 100 losses for the first time since losing 102 games in 1982, Detroit is challenging for a playoff spot.The Tigers (79-70) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 9-5 win at Cleveland on Sunday. They sit 2 1/2 games behind Toronto and Baltimore for the final wild-card spot in the American League.We had to win, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said after Sundays win. We feel like weve got to win every single day the rest of the way. If we do, well be in great shape. If we dont, were going to need some help.Playing the Twins has been quite a help.The teams split the four-game series in Detroit last week -- Minnesotas only two wins on a seven-game road trip -- but the Tigers have owned the season series with 12 wins in 16 games.Boyd lost one of those games to the Twins last week, giving up seven runs and eight hits in just 3 2/3 innings. Boyd told MLB.com hes made some adjustments before Tuesdays start.Not a whole lot of tweaking, more just refining, Boyd told MLB.com. Sometimes theres just one or two little things that can take you out of your delivery. That being said, you have to be better in the moment to figure out a way to get it done with that.The Twins offense, in particular second baseman Brian Dozier, is still giving fans reason to watch as another frustrating season concludes. Minnesota is one loss shy of thee 96 it finished with in 2012 and 2013.ddddddddddddIn 2011, the team lost 99 games.Dozier is doing things not seen in Minnesota since the days of Hall of Fame slugger Harmon Killebrew, though. Dozier has a 22-game hitting streak and would set the AL record for home runs by a second baseman with his next homer while playing the position.Dozier has 41 home runs -- the only Twins player besides Killebrew to reach the mark -- and 39 of the homers have come while playing second base.(Dozier has) put together a phenomenal run here in the last 3 1/2 months, Minnesota manager Paul Molitor told MLB.com. And hes putting up historical numbers at his position. The hitting streak speaks to a little bit more of the consistency of his at-bats. Hes doing his job. Hes a catalyst for our offense. At the end of the year, youre going to look at the body of his work and its going to be pretty impressive.Dozier was 7-for-15 with two homers and five RBI during the series in Detroit last week and had two hits in two at-bats against Boyd.But the losses have worn on Dozier, even as his personal achievements have piled up.It doesnt really sit very well, I can tell you that, Dozier told MLB.com of his hitting streak. It is what it is. I couldnt care less, to be honest with you. We didnt get enough of them today. So thats pretty much it.Detroit, which is 6-0 at Target Field this season, isnt sure if it will have its second baseman. Ian Kinsler was hit in the head by a pitch from Clevelands Trevor Bauer on Sunday and was showing symptoms of a concussion following the game.Santiago has settled in after some initial struggles when he was acquired by Minnesota from the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline. Santiago has allowed five runs total over his last four starts. He beat Detroit with 5 2/3 innings with one run allowed last week. ' ' '