ATP Tour

Djokovic brushes off Cilic in Shanghai opener

Novak Djokovic went old-school with his tactics on Friday evening at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, where he overcame Marin Cilic 7-6(2), 6-4 to kick-start his bid for a record-extending fifth title.

Channelling his inner Ivan Lendl, Djokovic sprinkled sawdust on his hands to combat the humidity, which had him struggling to maintain grip early on. He also absorbed the heavy artillery of Cilic, who blasted 20 winners in the first set alone. And though he appeared to tweak his back in the third game of the second set, Djokovic struck cleanly from both wings to earn a hard-fought victory after one hour, 55 minutes.

“I struggled to find my rhythm from the baseline,” admitted Djokovic. “I [lacked] some matches — my last one was at the US Open — so I got a really tough opener against Marin, who when is feeling the ball, is so dangerous and can beat anybody. He didn’t give me time to breathe, so I think I dug myself out of trouble with good serving, which obviously makes me happy.”

Same city, same story 🔁@DjokerNole books his spot in the third round for the 11th consecutive time in Shanghai@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/nsBxxJWdon

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 3, 2025

Despite recent fitness scares, including physical worries that haunted him during the US Open last month, Djokovic’s trademark efficiency was on full display. Against Cilic, whom he now leads 20-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, the Serbian once again showcased his uncanny ability to raise his level when required.

The packed crowd welcomed Djokovic with roars at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, where the 10th seed Holger Rune and countryman Hamad Medjedovic were among those in attendance for his return to tour-level action for the first time since his US Open semi-final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.

Returning to Shanghai for the first time since his loss to Jannik Sinner in last year’s final, Djokovic could face the Italian once again if they both progress to the semi-finals in 2025. He next faces Yannick Hanfmann, who continued his run from qualifying to upset 25th seed Frances Tiafoe.

By notching his 40th win in Shanghai, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Djokovic became the first man to record 40 or more wins at six different ATP Masters 1000 events since the series’ introduction in 1990 (Rome 68, Indian Wells 51, Paris 50, Miami 49, Cincinnati 45).

With a combined age of 79 years and 139 days, Djokovic and Cilic's duel was the oldest ATP Masters 1000 main-draw meeting since 1990 — a testament to both players’ staying power. Djokovic holds the all-time record for most weeks at World No. 1 (428), while Cilic, a former No. 3, remains remembered for his 2014 US Open triumph, among his tally of 21 tour-level titles.

“Tonnes of respect for Marin, all he has achieved and who he is as a person,” said Djokovic. “We get along very well off the court, we’ve known each other for some many years. The last time we played was three years ago, so it’s great to see him back playing at this level.”

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Yet while Djokovic has reached the semi-finals at all four majors this year, his Masters 1000 campaigns have faltered. A runner-up finish in Miami is bookended by early exits in Indian Wells, Monte-Carlo, and Madrid. Now, in Shanghai, one of his happiest hunting grounds, Djokovic is aiming to reset the balance.

The record seven-time Nitto ATP Finals is currently fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, with a 32-10 standing on the year.