Djokovic Triumphs, Shelton Falls at Shanghai Tournament
In a thrilling start at the Shanghai Masters, Novak Djokovic secured his place in the next round with a straight-sets victory over Marin Cilic. The Serbian star, aiming for a record-extending fifth title at this tournament, achieved the win with a score of 7-6 (2), 6-4.
Match Overview
This was Djokovic’s first match since his defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open semifinals. Despite facing challenges early on, including the humidity, Djokovic managed to overcome them by applying sawdust to his hands for better grip.
Set Highlights
- First Set: Djokovic struggled but clinched the tiebreak 7-6 (2).
- Second Set: After an early break, he held off two break points in the final game.
- Match-winning Ace: He sealed his victory with an impressive ace, marking his tenth of the match.
Djokovic expressed his satisfaction with the win, acknowledging the difficulty of facing a player like Cilic when in good form. He noted, “I struggled to find my rhythm from the baseline… Marin is so dangerous when he feels the ball.”
Upcoming Matches
Next, Djokovic will compete against Yannick Hanfmann, who advanced after defeating Frances Tiafoe with a score of 6-7 (9), 6-2, 6-1.
Ben Shelton’s Early Exit
In another development, sixth-seeded Ben Shelton was eliminated following a defeat to David Goffin. The match ended with scores of 6-2, 6-4.
Goffin’s performance included breaking serve shortly after play resumed from a brief rain delay. Shelton, who had not competed for five weeks due to a left shoulder injury, previously expressed hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals. He is currently sixth in the points race, but this loss may hinder his ambitions.
Notable Players and Future Matches
In the Shanghai tournament, top-seeded players received first-round byes. Fifth-seeded Taylor Fritz was scheduled to compete later, while Jannik Sinner, fresh from winning the China Open, is set to play on Saturday.
Meanwhile, top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz announced he would not participate in Shanghai due to minor ailments following his success in the Japan Open final.
