Novak Djokovic overcame exhaustion and an ankle injury to defeat Jaume Munar and reach the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals, becoming the oldest player to achieve the feat.
Novak Djokovic overcame exhaustion and an ankle injury scare to advance to the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday, defeating Spain’s Jaume Munar 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in a gruelling three-set encounter.
The hard-fought victory keeps the 38-year-old Serbian on track to claim a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai, with several top seeds already eliminated or withdrawn from the tournament.
Djokovic appeared close to collapse when the match entered a deciding set but found the strength to break his 27-year-old opponent twice in the third set, sealing the win to the delight of the Chinese crowd.
Battling Through Pain and Humidity
The 24-time Grand Slam champion started strongly, breaking Munar in the fourth game despite the 84 percent humidity that made conditions difficult.
However, his momentum was disrupted when his left ankle slipped as he rushed toward the net, forcing him to take a medical timeout. He grimaced in pain as an on-court physio attended to him but managed to continue and hold serve.
Djokovic required further treatment in the second set and appeared visibly fatigued, often crouching between rallies and even vomiting on court.
Despite the support of Serbian-flag-waving fans, Munar capitalised on Djokovic’s struggles, breaking in the 12th game of the second set after an unforced error.
The world number one fell to the floor, gasping for air as medics rushed to his side. Yet, in trademark fashion, he rallied back with a remarkable third-set comeback, breaking in the first and seventh games to secure victory.
Oldest Player to Reach Masters 1000 Quarterfinal
With the win, Djokovic became the oldest player ever to reach an ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal, further cementing his legacy as one of tennis’s most enduring competitors.
He is also now the highest-ranked player remaining in the Shanghai draw after the withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz and the exits of Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz.
The tournament has been plagued by injuries and extreme conditions, with temperatures exceeding 30°C and high humidity levels taking a toll on players.
Sinner was forced to retire on Sunday due to severe cramps, while Holger Rune, who also struggled with the heat, called for tennis authorities to introduce a heat policy for tournaments like Shanghai.
Rune advanced to the last eight after defeating France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 6-3.
Next Challenge: Zizou Bergs
Djokovic will next face Zizou Bergs of Belgium, ranked 44th in the world. Bergs earned his quarterfinal spot after a dramatic win over Canada’s Gabriel Diallo, prevailing 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10/8) in a tense third-set tiebreak.
As the oldest player left in the competition and the clear favourite, Djokovic will aim to continue his pursuit of another Masters title while managing his fitness and recovery amid the demanding Shanghai conditions.