Novak Djokovic survives scare to reach last 16 at ‘brutal’ Shanghai MastersOlympic champion struggles in humid conditions in China before fighting back to beat German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in three sets.Picture by REUTERS/Go NakamuraBy David Coverdale05 October 2025 19:48 GMT+53 min readNovak Djokovic described the conditions at the Shanghai Masters as “brutal” after surviving a huge scare against qualifier Yannick Hanfmann to reach the last 16.The Paris 2024 Olympic champion lost the first set against his inspired German opponent as he struggled physically on a hot and humid night in the People’s Republic of China.However, despite throwing up on court in the second set, Djokovic fought back in vintage fashion to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 and set up a fourth-round clash with Jaume Munar of Spain, on Tuesday (7 October.)“It’s brutal when you have over 80 per cent of humidity day after day,” admitted the 38-year-old.“You just have to deal with it. But for me, biologically, it is a bit more challenging to deal with it!”Olympic Membership – Free Live Stream Sports & Original Series – join now! 🥇It is the 112th time Djokovic has reached the round of 16 at an ATP Masters 1000 event, equalling the record of Rafael Nadal.But the 24-time Grand Slam champion had to fight hard to keep his dream of a record-extending fifth Shanghai title alive.Djokovic was broken by the powerful Hanfmann in the third game of the first set, with the world No.150 going on to see out the set.A major shock was on the cards, but a series of unforced errors by Hanfmann allowed Djokovic to break in the 12th game of the second set and force a decider.The Serbian then broke to take a 3-1 lead in the third and never looked back, letting out a huge roar as he clinched victory in two hours and 45 minutes – his second-longest best-of-three match this year.”I was just outplayed by a better player for a set and a half – I was hanging by a rope to stay in the match,” admitted Djokovic. “I had to really weather the storm.“But towards the second set, I felt I could stay in the rally and all in all it was a great fight and battle, something I am quite familiar with in my career. I won plenty of matches where I wasn’t the best player through all the match.“It was incredible to play in front of a very passionate crowd. One of the nicest and biggest stadiums we have in sport. It’s stunning.“Grinding for almost three hours, third round of a Masters at 38, with a full stadium cheering my name, it’s a dream come true for me.”Tennis29 September – 13 OctoberTennis | Rolex Shanghai Masters | People’s Republic of ChinaOngoing eventDakar 2026 – Design the medalSubmit your design for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games medal to become part of Olympic history!
