Hubert Hurkacz beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 in 87 minutes in the second round of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, taking his first win over the Serb. Djokovic, fresh from a record seventh China Open title in Beijing, was out before the third round.
Shanghai, China: Hubert Hurkacz had never beaten Novak Djokovic. On Friday he did it in straight sets, against a 24-time Grand Slam champion. The Pole, the 2023 champion in Shanghai, moved into the last 32 on the back of one of the more significant upsets of the tournament so far.
A first win, and a clean one
Hurkacz, a former world No. 6, said it was important to stay with Djokovic at the start, and he did, taking the first set 6-4 and the second 6-3 in an hour and 27 minutes. For Djokovic, 39, it ended his tournament in his first match.
Beijing form that did not travel
The loss arrived days after Djokovic won a record seventh China Open title, when Alex de Minaur retired injured in the Beijing final. Djokovic said afterwards that he was not close to the level he had shown in Beijing and that he did not adjust to the quick conditions in Shanghai. Hurkacz called it a special night and said it was a pleasure to share the court with such a legend of the sport.
A year of early exits at the biggest events
Shanghai follows another early exit for Djokovic at a major event. At the US Open he lost to Mariano Navone in the first round, his earliest defeat at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.
The rest of Friday in Shanghai
Top seed Alexander Zverev beat Chinese wild card Wu Yibing 6-4, 7-6(4) to reach the third round. Ben Shelton marked his 24th birthday with a 6-3, 7-6(6) win over Daniel Altmaier. Jannik Sinner is not in the field: he withdrew after announcing he would take the rest of 2026 off because of a right knee injury. Elsewhere on a day of upsets, qualifier Rei Sakamoto stunned Andrey Rublev in straight sets.
Result: Hubert Hurkacz (Poland) beat Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 6-4, 6-3 in 1h 27m
Event: Rolex Shanghai Masters (ATP Masters 1000), second round, Friday 9 October 2026
