Djokovic Fights Through Illness to Reach Shanghai Masters Quarterfinals

As the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters 2025 gets underway on Day 9 (Tuesday, October 7), the tournament has already seen its fair share of drama and upsets. Defending champion Jannik Sinner's title defense came to an unfortunate end on Sunday, as intense cramps forced him to retire during his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor.

In a surprising turn of events, third seed Alexander Zverev was also sent packing on Monday, losing to Arthur Rinderknech. The wave of upsets has continued, with a total of seven players having to retire due to the tough conditions in Shanghai.

Despite the challenges, some players have managed to navigate the treacherous path to the fourth round. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic commenced his quest for a fifth Shanghai Masters title with a hard-fought victory over Marin Cilic, followed by a comeback win over Yannick Hanfmann. The Serb, however, was not at his best physically, even throwing up during the match before persevering to secure his spot in the next round.

Jaume Munar has also made a breakthrough, reaching the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters for the first time in his career, and the third time at the Masters 1000 level. The Spaniard overcame a one-set deficit to beat Marton Fucsovics in his opener, and then upset 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli and Yoshihito Nishioka to set up a clash with Djokovic.

The conditions in Shanghai have been a significant factor, with the courts being slowed down adding another dimension to the players' predicament. As the tournament progresses, the remaining players will be eager to secure their spot in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.