Daijiworld Media Network - Shanghai
Shanghai, Oct 9: Hubert Hurkacz produced a stellar performance to defeat former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic on his return to the Shanghai Masters in Shanghai, China, on Friday night.
The Polish player defeated Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, securing his first victory over the Serbian great in nine career meetings. Hurkacz, who won the Shanghai Masters during his previous appearance in 2023, has now extended his winning streak at the tournament to eight matches.
Hurkacz dominated the contest with his powerful serve and effective baseline play, while Djokovic appeared to struggle physically after playing his sixth match in 10 days. The Serbian had won the China Open in Beijing just days earlier.
"It’s a special night. I’ve been playing Novak for like seven years, so it’s been unsuccessful, but (he has been) such a great champion for so many years," Hurkacz said.
"Being on Tour, at the top, and he just won Beijing, so it’s a very difficult ask to play against him, but also it is a pleasure for me to share a court with him, to play such a legend of the sport. It’s a lot of fun, and then you also challenge yourself to see where your level is," he added.
With the victory, Hurkacz became only the fourth man to register at least one hard-court win against each of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic. Andy Murray, Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev had previously achieved the feat.
Both players entered the second-round clash after reaching tour-level finals in China this year. Djokovic won the China Open in Beijing to claim his 102nd tour-level title, while Hurkacz lost the Chengdu Open final to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Hurkacz appeared the fresher of the two players and saved two break points during the match, while breaking Djokovic twice.
"Definitely it was very important at the start to stay there with Novak, because if he gets ahead, he presents such a great level and it’s not easy to come back," Hurkacz said.
"Then towards the end, of course I was feeling some nerves. It’s not my first time leading my break in a set against Novak, so I was trying to stay focused on my things, what I needed to do. I was pleased with the performance at the end," he added.