Playing his sixth match in 10 days, Djokovic failed to maintain his winning momentum from Beijing. Hurkacz broke the Serbian player's serve once in each set, leading to Djokovic's exit after 87 minutes on the Qizhong complex's center court. This marked his first loss to Hurkacz in nine matchups.

Signs of physical discomfort emerged late in the first set. According to Djokovic's official website, he told his support team his right arm and shoulder were shaking, expressing uncertainty about how to proceed. The 39-year-old continued the match but could not turn the tide.

Djokovic during his loss to Hurkacz in the second round of the Shanghai Masters, at the Qizhong complex, Shanghai, China, on 9/10/2026. Photo: Reuters

Djokovic had an early opportunity, missing two break points in the third game. Both players then held serve until Hurkacz led 5-4. In the crucial game Djokovic needed to win to stay in the set, he allowed his opponent to convert a second break point, ending the first set.

In the second set, Hurkacz secured an early break in the fourth game, building a 4-1 lead. Djokovic managed to hold his subsequent service games but failed to break back. The Polish player ultimately won 6-3, eliminating the four-time tournament champion.

Hurkacz delivered 13 aces and 28 winners, pressuring Djokovic with powerful serves and groundstrokes. The world number 34 efficiently seized opportunities against a visibly fatigued opponent, avoiding a prolonged match like their previous meetings.

"This is a special night. I have faced Novak for about seven years without success", Hurkacz stated. "He just won in Beijing, so this was a very tough challenge. But it is also a joy to be on the same court with a legend like him".

This defeat followed Djokovic's most successful week of the season. In Beijing, he beat world number two Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals. He then led Daniil Medvedev by one set and a break before Medvedev's disqualification in the semifinals. In the final, Alex de Minaur retired with an injury after Djokovic won the first set.

His 102nd career title ended an 11-month wait for Djokovic and extended his streak of winning at least one championship per season to 21 years. He also boosted his undefeated record in Beijing to 34 matches. However, three days later, the 10th seed failed to advance past his opening match in Shanghai, where he had received a first-round bye.

The victory also allowed Hurkacz to complete his collection of defeating the "Big 3" on each of their preferred surfaces. He had previously beaten Roger Federer in the Wimbledon 2021 quarterfinals on grass and Rafael Nadal at the Rome Masters 2024 on clay, before this win over Djokovic on a hard court.

Hurkacz will advance to face either Lorenzo Musetti or Zhou Yi in the third round. Djokovic, however, missed an opportunity to gain crucial points for the ATP Finals race. Ranked ninth in the Race to Turin standings, the Serbian player requires strong performances in the season's remaining events to secure a spot in the year-end tournament for the top eight players.

By Vy Anh