(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Novak Djokovic Battles Fatigue and Humidity to Reach Shanghai Masters Quarterfinals
October 7, 2025 | Updated 3:42 PM GMT-7
SHANGHAI: Tennis legend Novak Djokovic once again proved his resilience on Tuesday, overcoming extreme humidity and visible fatigue to defeat Spain’s Jaume Munar 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 and secure a spot in the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals.
The 38-year-old Serbian champion required medical attention after dropping the second set. Exhausted from a long baseline rally, Djokovic fell to the ground, covering his eyes with his forearm before slowly being assisted by a trainer. He received treatment courtside before the start of the deciding set.
Despite the setback, the world No. 1 made an immediate statement in the third set — breaking Munar’s serve early after the Spaniard missed a routine overhead smash. Djokovic maintained his momentum and closed out the match confidently.
“Tough Day at the Office,” Says Djokovic
Skipping the traditional on-court interview, Djokovic later shared his reaction on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Tough day at the office. Very challenging physically.”
The victory makes Djokovic the oldest player ever to reach the quarterfinals at an ATP Masters 1000 event, surpassing Roger Federer’s 2019 record by two months.
With this win, Djokovic continues his pursuit of a record-extending 41st Masters title, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in tennis history.
Next up, he will face Zizou Bergs of Belgium in the quarterfinals.
Other Results
Elsewhere, tenth-seeded Holger Rune advanced after a hard-fought victory over French powerhouse Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, winning 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-3.
Tags: #NovakDjokovic #ShanghaiMasters #TennisNews #SportsUpdates #ATP2025
