Djokovic dusts off rivals and doubts in Shanghai return
Humidity tested grips and resolve alike as Novak Djokovic summoned vintage tactics to edge Marin Cilic, reigniting his chase for dominance on a stage rich with history and high stakes.
Under the heavy evening humidity at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Novak Djokovic returned to competitive fire with a composed edge, facing down Marin Cilic in a matchup steeped in familiarity and subtle peril. The air clung thick, slicking the hard courts and challenging every slide and swing, yet the Serb adapted swiftly, channeling resolve to claim a 7-6(2), 6-4 victory in one hour and 55 minutes. This opener propelled him into the third round of the Shanghai Masters for the 11th straight year, a testament to his enduring command in the city that has witnessed so many of his triumphs.
Old-school grips steady the storm
Channelling his inner Ivan Lendl, Djokovic sprinkled sawdust on his hands early to battle the dampness that sapped his grip from the baseline. Cilic unleashed heavy artillery, blasting 20 winners in the first set alone, his flat power skidding across the medium-paced surface and forcing the top seed into deep retrievals. Though a brief back tweak in the second set’s third game echoed physical worries that haunted him during the US Open last month, Djokovic absorbed the barrage with low slices and crosscourt redirects, maintaining his one–two rhythm to break through when the Croat’s aggression waned.
The packed crowd erupted in roars for his first tour-level match since that US Open semi-final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz, with the 10th seed Holger Rune and countryman Hamad Medjedovic among the attentive faces in the stands. Their presence amplified the electric atmosphere, a blend of local fervor and global anticipation as Djokovic extended his ATP Head2Head lead over Cilic to 20-2. Returning to Shanghai for the first time since his loss to Jannik Sinner in last year’s final, he now eyes a potential semi-final rematch with the Italian, but first must navigate Yannick Hanfmann, who advanced by upsetting 25th seed Frances Tiafoe after qualifying.
Same city, same story @DjokerNole books his spot in the third round for the 11th consecutive time in Shanghai@SH_Masters | #ShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/nsBxxJWdon
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 3, 2025
Veteran duel highlights lasting power
With a combined age of 79 years and 139 days, their encounter marked the oldest ATP Masters 1000 main-draw clash since 1990, underscoring the grit that has defined both careers—Djokovic with his record 428 weeks at World No. 1, Cilic etched in memory by his 2014 US Open triumph and 21 tour-level titles. The Serb’s efficiency cut through the humidity, using underspin to control the ball’s skid and down-the-line backhands to pierce defenses, turning Cilic’s firepower into prolonged rallies that favored his elastic defense. This win, his 41st in Shanghai per the ATP Win/Loss Index, positioned him as the first man to amass 40 or more victories at six different Masters 1000 events since 1990: Rome with 68, Indian Wells 51, Paris 50, Miami 49, and Cincinnati 45.
Despite reaching the semi-finals at all four majors this year, Djokovic’s Masters 1000 results have stuttered—early exits in Indian Wells, Monte-Carlo, and Madrid framing a runner-up finish in Miami—leaving him hungry to reset on this grippy yet speedy surface that suits his sliding style. The arena’s buzzing energy, from the crowd’s rhythmic chants to the thud of balls echoing off the roof, fueled his focus, as he dialed in subtle spin to neutralize flat trajectories and preserve stamina for the draw ahead. Cilic’s serves tested the edges, but Djokovic’s poise in extending points revealed a player drawing on deep reserves, transforming environmental hurdles into tactical advantages.
Chasing Turin through familiar ground
Now fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin for the record seven-time Nitto ATP Finals, with a 31-10 record on the season, Djokovic seeks to climb through disciplined baseline work and surface affinity in one of his happiest hunting grounds. Hanfmann’s qualifier momentum brings aggressive returns that could exploit second serves on these courts, yet the Serb’s adaptive toolkit—from sawdust rituals to rally extensions—positions him to build momentum. As the humidity receded into night, his controlled demeanor hinted at a recalibration, blending psychological steel with technical precision to chase that fifth title and reshape his autumn arc, one resilient point at a time.
