Novak Djokovic overcomes humidity and injury to advance into Shanghai Masters quarter-finals

Novak Djokovic avoided becoming the latest big name to depart from the Shanghai Masters after picking up a gritty 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Jaume Munar. The Serbian struggled with the humidity and injury, even collapsed to the floor after losing the second set, but showed his class and determination to get over the line.

Shanghai has become a challenging place to play, with high temperatures and soaring humidity levels forcing many participants to fight with the conditions along with their opponent, not always coming out on top. In this case, the 24-time Grand Slam champion just about managed to stay in it, powering through for an incredible win.

The world number five took control of the first set relatively early, eventually breaking the Spaniard's serve on the fourth time of asking. It was straight forward holds from then, with Djokovic taking his third set point to go halfway from another quarter-final in Shanghai. However, he was pegged back in the second set, visibly in pain and not moving freely on court. Munar valiantly broke the Djokovic serve late on to level the tie.

Straight after, Djokovic collapsed to the floor, with it all too much for him. The humidity was at an astonishing 82%, and the 38-year-old was floundering in the conditions, having also thrown up on the side the court on multiple occasions. The umpire rushed over to see if he was ok, being followed by a concern medical team. They checked to make sure he was still fit to play, as well as having a look at his left ankle, which he had been causing him more problems.

While it one point it looked like the end, the determination of Djokovic saw him continue in the torrid conditions. Munar missed a fabulous opportunity to win the first game, missing a forehand with Djokovic already walking to his chair. This would cost the Spaniard as he fell behind moments later. At 3-2 up, Djokovic turned on the afterburners, winning 12 of the final 14 points to progress into his 11th Shanghai Masters quarter-final. He holds the record with four victories in the event, and on paper is the strong favourite to reclaim his title.

To play in these sweltering conditions is a painful process, but to do it for two hours and 41 minutes with an ankle injury while throwing up regularly is a huge concern. Djokovic managed to get through it this time, but he may not get so lucky next time. In his round-of-32 match, he was also throwing up and looking queasy throughout, coming back from a set down to defeat Yannick Hanfmann in similar time to the match with Munar. As the match went on, he was using his ice towel more regularly to cool down, while taking longer and longer to rise from his chair and return to the baseline ready to commence play.

This has been an on-going issue for many players on the ATP and WTA tour in Shanghai, with many stars affected by the brutal heat. If Djokovic wants to retain his title he last won in 2018, he must soldier on through these unbearable conditions, with world number 44 Zizou Bergs his quarter-final opponent.