Hurkacz Stuns Djokovic in Straight Sets to End Shanghai Masters Campaign

Novak Djokovic's Shanghai Masters campaign is over almost before it began. Hubert Hurkacz produced a serving masterclass on Friday to beat the 39-year-old Serbian 6-4 6-3 in the second round, recording his first career victory over Djokovic after eight straight defeats. The Pole fired 13 aces and 28 winners while conceding almost nothing on serve, wrapping up the upset in just one hour and 27 minutes.

Djokovic arrived in Shanghai in high spirits after collecting a seventh China Open title and the 102nd crown of his career on Tuesday, but he was far from his best from the opening game and never found an answer to Hurkacz's power. It is another setback in a testing season for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, whose last Shanghai title came in 2018 and who crashed out of the US Open in the first round last month.

For Hurkacz, the former world No. 6, it was a statement performance in his first Shanghai appearance since lifting the trophy in 2023. The victory sends him through to the third round and blows the top half of the draw wide open, with Djokovic's conqueror now a genuine threat to go deep again in a tournament he knows how to win.