Djokovic survives a humid Shanghai night as Hanfmann pushes him to the limit

Shanghai Masters: Djokovic battles humidity and a tough test

Novak Djokovic, the Serbian star, escaped a night of danger in the Shanghai Masters, overcoming illness and a stern challenge from German Yannick Hanfmann to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 and reach the fourth round. Hanfmann led much of the match, pushing the defending champ to the brink, but Djokovic drew energy from the home fans to keep his title hopes alive. The match lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes, his second-longest three-setter of 2025.

Hanfmann, a qualifier, tested the reigning Shanghai champion with aggressive shotmaking and four aces in the opening set, but Djokovic steadied late in the second and found a late gear in the decider as humidity intensified the ball‑striking duel.

Next up and other notable highlights

Djokovic’s victory sets up a fourth‑round meeting with Spaniard Gom Monar, who beat Japan’s Yoshito Nishioka in a separate all‑court battle (6-4, 5-7, 6-1) in a time of about 2 hours and 29 minutes. In another standout result, Giovanni Mpetchi-Bericard toppled Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-5, delivering the biggest win of his career by ranking and earning a place in the next round inside the Chengdu Forest Sports City Arena, a venue that has lived up to Shanghai’s demanding climate.

Hanfmann’s impressive run came to an end as Djokovic’s backhand found its range in the closing stages, and the 38-year-old kept his nerve despite a challenging start. After taking a long first set, Djokovic reasserted control, finding rhythm and energy from the crowd to survive a grinding test.

Meanwhile, Fritz’s early exit has implications for the ATP Finals race. He sits fifth in the Torino standings, still in a good position to qualify, but the door was left ajar for Musetti and others chasing the last spots in the season finale. On the other side of the court, Holger Rune advanced by defeating Hugo Humbert 6-4, 6-4, continuing his solid form in Shanghai and moving one step closer to Torino.

Rune’s victory also gave the 22-year-old Dane a growing confidence as he extended his head‑to‑head edge over Humbert to 5-0, with wins this year at Indian Wells and Shanghai reinforcing his status as a rising force in the European contingent. After the match, Rune spoke about navigating the humid conditions, noting that both players felt the heat but emphasized focus on serving and minimizing energy waste during pivotal moments.

In other early matches on Sunday, Canadian Gabriel Diallo advanced after Belgian David Goffin withdrew when trailing 0-3 in the opening set, and Zizou Bergs defeated Francisco Cerúndolo 7-6, 6-3 to reach the fourth round for the second consecutive year. The results kept the race for the season-ending Masters lively, with several players jockeying for the remaining Torino spots.

Djokovic analyzed the Shanghai conditions, telling the ATP Tour that the humidity—often above 80 percent—makes for an especially grueling day match, particularly in the heat of the afternoon. He acknowledged the difficulty biologically, but credited staying the course and matching his opponent’s intensity when it mattered most.

As the tournament progresses, the storyline remains clear: endurance under pressure, the right balance of aggression and patience, and a few moments of sheer quality that can swing a match in a city where the weather tests every shot.

Punchlines:

1) If humidity were a sniper, Shanghai would be Djokovic’s favorite firing range—because every shot lands when the air feels like soup. 2) Hanfmann might need a weather forecast next time—“Chance of aces with a side of sweat, 100% certain.”