Djokovic suffers surprise Hurkacz loss in Shanghai

Novak Djokovic suffers a surprise second-round loss to Hubert Hurkacz at the Shanghai Masters, just three days after his triumph at the China Open in Beijing. Novak Djokovic received a first-round bye in Shanghai as the tournament's 10th seed Novak Djokovic suffered a surprise second-round loss to Hubert Hurkacz at the Shanghai Masters, just three days after triumphing at the China Open in Beijing. The 39-year-old Djokovic ended an 11-month wait to lift the 102nd title of his illustrious career after Alex de Minaur retired injured from the China Open final. But, contesting his sixth match in the space of 10 days, Djokovic lost to Hurkacz for the first time in nine career meetings with the Pole.

The big-serving Hurkacz, winner in 2023 and currently ranked 34th in the world, claimed a 6-4 6-3 victory in 87 minutes. "It's a special night. I've been playing Novak for like seven years. It's been unsuccessful but [he has been] such a great champion for so many years," Hurkacz said. "He just won Beijing, so it's a very difficult task to play against him, but also it is a pleasure for me to share a court with him, to play such a legend of the sport." Men's record 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic claimed a tour-level singles title for the 21st year in