Hurkacz beats Djoković for the first time to reach the Shanghai third round

The match started on Friday at around 12:00 Polish time. The two had met eight times before, and Djoković had won every one of those matches.

The losing run ends

Hurkacz came close at Wimbledon in 2023, where Djoković won 7–6, 7–6, 5–7, 6–4. In the 2025 Geneva final the Serb won 5–7, 7–6, 7–6 to claim the 100th title of his career.

Djoković arrived in Shanghai after winning in Beijing. It was his 102nd title. Only Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) have more.

Before the match Hurkacz told Eurosport: "It will be an interesting challenge. I would like to play good tennis against him and win." He added: "It is always a pleasure to share the court with Novak."

Back after injury

A few days earlier the Pole retired injured from his Beijing semi-final against Alex de Minaur. In the first round in Shanghai he beat James Duckworth 6–3, 7–6(4), hitting 19 aces.

Hurkacz, ranked 34th, won the Shanghai title in 2023, beating Andrey Rublev 6–3, 3–6, 7–6(8) in the final. Djoković has won here four times: in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018.

Third round on Sunday

Hurkacz plays his next match on Sunday 11 October. His third-round opponent will be Lorenzo Musetti or Yi Zhou.