Djokovic Fires Up to Reach Shanghai Masters Third Round

On October 5th, 2025, world number five Novak Djokovic overcame a challenging first set to defeat fellow veteran Marin Cilic 7-6(7/2), 6-4 and advance to the third round of the Shanghai Masters. The 38-year-old Djokovic, who is chasing a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai, was greeted by rapturous cheers from the Chinese fans as he entered the stadium.

The first set was a hard-fought affair, with Cilic, ranked 94th, coming close to breaking the 24-time Grand Slam champion in the 11th game. However, Djokovic regained his footing in the tiebreak, winning it 7-2. The Serb then broke Cilic in the third game of the second set and held his nerve in a tense 10th game to secure victory with a final ace.

Djokovic acknowledged that both he and Cilic had "performed like we were maybe 15 years younger," as the combined age of the two players was the oldest in an ATP Masters 1000 main draw match. The veteran players continue to challenge each other and the younger generation on the tour, with Djokovic saying that "age doesn't matter when you walk out on the court, you have to find a way to win."