Novak Djokovic brought back down to earth as Hubert Hurkacz demolishes Shanghai title ambitions

Novak Djokovic’s run in the China capital got people believing that he was back. His second match at the Shanghai Masters has not gone to plan, as Hubert Hurkacz produced a stunning upset, prevailing 6-4, 6-3.

This is Djokovic’s first match following that triumphant China Open title run. With wins over Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur, the 39-year-old proved to the tennis world that he was not going anywhere after a shambolic North American stint.

He remained in China with more silverware on his mind. A four-time champion at the Shanghai Masters, Djokovic last took home glory in 2018. He reached the final in 2024, losing to Jannik Sinner, with a 2025 semi-final defeat to the reigning champion, Valentin Vacherot, a damaging blow.

The Serbian faced another former champion in the form of Hurkacz. The 29-year-old defeated Andrey Rublev in the 2023 final and has not competed in the event since. His first round win over James Duckworth continued with his last defeat coming back in 2019, and that is still the case after a marvellous win over Djokovic.

Hurkacz struck a late blow in the first set as Djokovic struggled to keep up. From 4-4, the 2023 winner dropped just one game en route to a stunning victory, and it is back to the drawing board for Djokovic.

The pair have previously played eight times, and all matches have been won by the 24-time Grand Slam champion. A big reason for this is that Djokovic is capable of nerfing out Hurkacz’s big serve with his effective returning skills. That was almost proven in the third game with the first break points being created. Djokovic failed to convert, and Hurkacz was let off.

The match stayed on serve for a while. Despite Djokovic missing a lot of first serves, he was not getting hounded by his opponent. An eighth consecutive game won on serve levelled the tie at 4-4, with the business end of the first set fast approaching.

Hurkacz was the one now on top. Another hold put him within one of the set, and after failing to convert his first set point, he took the second against the serve and strode ahead.

A huge upset was on the cards with Djokovic looking physically diminished while slightly struggling on court. The China Open run may have been affecting him. Hurkacz made it three games on the spin before Djokovic ended the rut as the holds of serve seemed to be the theme of the second set as well.

That was not the case. Hurkacz made it a set and a break lead before backing it up with a hold to love to lead 4-1. Time was running out for Djokovic with Hurkacz on the cusp of a magnificent win.

Djokovic was pinned against the wall and had two more break points to fend off. He did so, but a critical hold by Hurkacz put him one game away from breaking new ground against an old foe. A hold to love got the job done, and at the ninth time of asking Hurkacz finally defeated Djokovic.