Novak Djokovic retained his Shanghai Masters title on Sunday by edging sixth seed Juan Martín Del Potro in an entertaining three-set final.
The Serbian toppled his Argentinian opponent 6-1 3-6 7-6 (7/3) in two-and-a-half-hours for his seventh ATP crown of the year.
Djokovic was typically gracious in victory after securing his 15th Masters 1000 title.
Djokovic beats Del Potro
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(01 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses for photographers with the winner's trophy after defeating Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-ATP-CHN-SRB-ARG(02 of26)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a shot before defeating Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles final at the Shanghai Masters 1000 tennis tournament held in the Qizhong Tennis Stadium in Shanghai on October 13, 2013. Djokovic went on to win 61, 3-6, 7-6. AFP PHOTO /Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(03 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot during final match against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during the day seven of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(04 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina celebrates a point during the final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day seven of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(05 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the winner's trophy with Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina after the final match on day seven of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(06 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during the day seven of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-ATP-CHN-SRB-ARG(07 of26)
View of the stadium while Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles final at the Shanghai Masters 1000 tennis tournament held in the Qizhong Tennis Stadium in Shanghai on October 13, 2013. Djokovic went on to win 61, 3-6, 7-6. AFP PHOTO /Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(08 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(09 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses for photographers with the winner's trophy after defeating Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(10 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses for photographers with the winner's trophy after defeating Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(11 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina wipes his forehead between points while playing Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(12 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina wipes his forehead between points while playing Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(13 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina serves to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(14 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina catches his breath after losing a point to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(15 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina catches his breath after losing a point to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-ATP-CHN-SRB-ARG(16 of26)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the winners trophy after defeating Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles final at the Shanghai Masters 1000 tennis tournament held in the Qizhong Tennis Stadium in Shanghai on October 13, 2013. Djokovic went on to win 61, 3-6, 7-6. AFP PHOTO /Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-ATP-CHN-SRB-ARG(17 of26)
Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina with his runners-up trophy after being defeated by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their men's singles final at the Shanghai Masters 1000 tennis tournament held in the Qizhong Tennis Stadium in Shanghai on October 13, 2013. Djokovic went on to win 61, 3-6, 7-6. AFP PHOTO /Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(18 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-ATP-CHN-SRB-ARG(19 of26)
Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina reacts after missing a shot against opponent Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their men's singles final at the Shanghai Masters 1000 tennis tournament held in the Qizhong Tennis Stadium in Shanghai on October 13, 2013. Djokovic went on to win 61, 3-6, 7-6. AFP PHOTO /Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-ATP-CHN(20 of26)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia (R) and Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina (L) hold their trophies after the men's singles final at the Shanghai Masters 1000 tennis tournament held in the Qizhong Tennis Stadium in Shanghai on October 13, 2013. Djokovic won 1-6, 6-3, 7-6. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-ATP-CHN-SRB-ARG(21 of26)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts before defeating Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles final at the Shanghai Masters 1000 tennis tournament held in the Qizhong Tennis Stadium in Shanghai on October 13, 2013. Djokovic went on to win 61, 3-6, 7-6. AFP PHOTO /Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-ATP-CHN-SRB-ARG(22 of26)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves against opponent Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles final at the Shanghai Masters 1000 tennis tournament held in the Qizhong Tennis Stadium in Shanghai on October 13, 2013. AFP PHOTO /Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-ATP-CHN-SRB-ARG(23 of26)
Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina serves against opponent Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their men's singles final at the Shanghai Masters 1000 tennis tournament held in the Qizhong Tennis Stadium in Shanghai on October 13, 2013. AFP PHOTO /Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-ATP-CHN(24 of26)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses the trophy after beating Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina in the men's singles final at the Shanghai Masters 1000 tennis tournament held in the Qizhong Tennis Stadium in Shanghai on October 13, 2013. Djokovic won 1-6, 6-3, 7-6. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(25 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina plays Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 7(26 of26)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses for photographers with the winner's trophy after defeating Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"I have to start by congratulating Del Potro and his team for the fantastic week," the 26-year-old said on court after receiving the trophy.
"You're a great person and even a better player, I'm sorry that you lost today. You deserve this trophy equally."
Del Potro, who booked his place at next month's ATP World Tour Finals in London by beating world number one Nadal in the semi-final on Saturday, was disappointed to see his eight-match winning streak come to an end but found kind words for his opponent.
Djokovic and Del Potro were both in good spirits after the match
He told the ATP: "The match was really close and I think Nole (Djokovic) played some unbelievable points in the tie-break.
"The match was so exciting. At Wimbledon we played another fantastic match against each other.
"It's a really bad loss for me now. I was really close to beating him after beating Nadal."