Djokovic Opens Shanghai Masters with Vintage Edge over Cilic
3 octobre 2025
Match report
Novak Djokovic began his Shanghai Masters campaign with a victory over Marin Cilic, using classic, old‑school tactics to win 7-6, 6-4 and reach the third round after 1 hour 55 minutes.
Channeling the spirit of Iván Lendl, Djokovic brushed moisture off his hands to combat humidity that briefly made his racket hard to grip in the opening exchanges. Cilic, in turn, fired 20 aces in the first set, testing the Serb’s defense, but Djokovic’s steadier all‑court game wore him down as the match progressed.
Djokovic’s clean ball striking from both wings helped him prevail, delivering a hard‑fought victory that underscored his adaptability when pressure mounted late in the second set.
Notes and context
Post‑match, Djokovic told the ATP Tour that he had to chase his rhythm from the backline, having just played the US Open; he credited a sharper serve for turning the moment in his favor, which made the win feel particularly satisfying.
Despite recent fitness concerns following the US Open, Djokovic’s efficiency was evident, and he now leads Marin Cilic 20‑2 in their head‑to‑head, highlighting his continued performance edge in big matches.
The arena—the packed Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai—buzzed as Djokovic returned to the globe‑trotting tour, with spectators including Holger Rune and his compatriot Hamad Medjedovic among the many watching intently.
Having not returned to Shanghai since last year’s final loss to Jannik Sinner, Djokovic could meet the Italian again in the semifinals if both advance, then potentially face Jannik Hanfmann in the next round.
With this win, Djokovic collected his 40th victory in Shanghai, making him the first player to reach 40 wins in six Masters 1000 events since the Masters series began in 1990 (Rome 68, Indian Wells 51, Paris 50, Miami 49, Cincinnati 45). The aging duel of 79 years combined between Djokovic and Cilic marked the oldest main‑draw Masters 1000 match since 1990, underscoring the durability of both champions.
Djokovic also holds the all‑time record for weeks at No. 1 (428), while Cilic—an enduring competitor and 2014 US Open champion—remains a prolific presence with 21 career titles.
In other first‑round action, American Lerner Tin beat Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑4 to set up a second‑round clash with Corentin Moutet. In the second round, Czech Tomas Machac defeated Italian Matteo Bellucci 6‑3, 6‑4 to face Valentin Vacherot of Monaco, who beat Alexander Bublik 3‑6, 6‑3, 6‑4. A French player, Giovanni Mpetchi Pericard, defeated Italian Luca Nardi 6‑3, 7‑6 to await the winner of Taylor Fritz and Fabian Marozsan. Dutchman Talon Griekspoor then beat American Jenson Brooksby 6‑1, 1‑6, 6‑1 to face the winner of Jannik Sinner vs Daniel Altmaier, while Spaniard Góm Monar defeated Italian Flavio Coppoli 7‑5, 6‑1 and will meet the winner of Andrey Rublev and Yoshihito Nishioka in the third round.
