Hubert Hurkacz scored his first win over Novak Djokovic in nine meetings.
Richard PagliaroOctober 9, 20262 minute read
By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, October 9, 2026
Photo credit: Screen Shot
Novak Djokovic hit the wall—and Hubert Hurkacz broke a big barrier.
Hurkacz hammered 15 forehand winners defeating Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 to score his eighth straight Rolex Shanghai Masters win today.
It is Hurkacz’s first win over Djokovic in nine career meetings—and his first match in Shanghai since he captured the 2023 tournament title.
The 29-year-old Pole served 70 percent, pounded 13 aces against 2 double faults and saved both break points he faced in a confident conquest that was his third Top 10 victory of the season.
It marked the first time in 12 tournament appearances Djokovic lost his opening match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Djokovic defeated three Top 10 opponents in succession—Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur—to collect his seventh Beijing championship and 102nd career crown earlier this week.
Drained by his rousing Beijing run—and handcuffed by Hurkacz’s serve at times—Djokovic lacked the energy to combat a sharp Hurkacz.
A depleted Djokovic was pacing slowly behind the baseline using every single second of the serve clock between points.
Hurkacz carved out a drop volley winner and Djokovic netted a slice backhand to face a second set point in the 10th game.
Pouncing on the Serbian’s second serve, Hurkacz hammered an inside-out forehand return to snatch the opening set with a bang. It was the first time Djokovic lost an opening set in Shanghai.
Empowered, Hurkacz lifted another lilting drop shot, Hurkacz held for a 2-1 second-set lead then ratcheted up pressure on Djokovic’s serve.
Following a forehand forward, the Pole pounded a smash—his 25th winner—for break point.
A methodical Djokovic double-faulted into net—his first double fault of the night—prompting a collective groan from Shanghai fans as Hurkacz broke for 3-1 after 71 minutes of play.
World No. 34 Hurkacz threw down another ace then saw Djokovic belt a wild off the back wall as he backed up the break for 4-1.
A crafty Hurkacz held the ball on his strings for a moment then froze the Beijing champion looping a perfect rainbow lob winner for 5-2.
A calm Hurkacz stamped a love hold wrapping up his first career win over Djokovic in one hour, 27 minutes. Hurkacz will play either Chinese wild card Yi Zhou or 24th-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti next.
