Djokovic loses to Hurkacz in Shanghai upset, three days after China Open win

Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the Shanghai Masters on Friday in a straight-sets loss to Hubert Hurkacz, 6-4, 6-3, just three days after winning the China Open in Beijing. The 39-year-old Serbian, playing his sixth match in ten days, struggled physically and tactically against Hurkacz's powerful serving in a match lasting 87 minutes. Djokovic was broken once in each set, including a double fault in the fourth game of the second set, and said afterward he did not feel himself on court and found it difficult to return Hurkacz's serve, which produced 13 aces.

Hurkacz, the 2023 Shanghai champion currently ranked 34th and competing in the tournament for the first time since his title run, secured his first victory against Djokovic in nine career meetings. The 29-year-old Polish player won 82 percent of points on his first serve and expressed respect for his opponent while acknowledging the difficulty of the matchup. "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."

Djokovic's loss marks a sharp reversal after claiming his 102nd career title in Beijing—his second final appearance of the year and first title victory since January. The defeat leaves him ninth in the race to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, and he will need a strong showing at the Paris Masters in November to break into the top eight. He is scheduled to return to competition at that event next month.

Elsewhere at Shanghai, top-seeded Alexander Zverev defeated Chinese wildcard Wu Yibing 6-4, 7-6 (4), and third-seeded Ben Shelton won his 24th birthday match against Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 7-6 (8-6). No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament due to a right knee injury, announcing he is taking the rest of 2026 off.