Novak Djokovic suffers shock Shanghai Open defeat after Beijing triumph

By SABC Sport
9th October 2026

Novak Djokovic suffered a shock straight-sets defeat to Hubert Hurkacz in his Shanghai Masters opener on Friday, with the 39-year-old appearing to struggle physically following his China Open triumph.

Djokovic had question marks hanging over his fitness after his remarkable success in Beijing on Tuesday, and those concerns appeared justified as he fell to a 6-4, 6-3 defeat.

The Serbian was handed a difficult opening assignment against the big-serving Pole, who had lost all eight of his previous meetings with the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

Hurkacz, who reached the final of the Chengdu Open before making the semi-finals in Beijing, took a tight first set 6-4 as Djokovic showed signs of physical discomfort.

The former world No 6 carried that momentum into the second set, breaking Djokovic early before using his powerful serve to establish a commanding advantage.

Hurkacz had opportunities to secure a double break, but the former world No 1 dug deep and played with greater freedom to keep himself in contention.

However, the 29-year-old Pole held his nerve on serve to close out a comprehensive 6-4, 6-3 victory, finally getting the better of Djokovic at the ninth attempt.