Djokovic Claims Munar and a New Masters 1000 Record: The Serb Reaches the Quarterfinals in Shanghai

© AFP

Adrien Guyot

le 07/10/2025 à 15h23

2 min to read

Bergs Djokovic Munar Shanghai

With the absences of Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper and the early eliminations of Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic became one of the natural favorites for the title at the Shanghai Masters 1000.

The Serb, who lost the final in Miami to Jakub Mensik earlier in the season, is determined to give himself the means to win a fifth title in this tournament after 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018. After his victories against Marin Cilic (7-6, 6-4) and Yannick Hanfmann (4-6, 7-5, 6-3), the former world number one hoped to build momentum against Jaume Munar.

The Spaniard had a very interesting first part of the tournament with wins against Marton Fucsovics (4-6, 7-5, 6-1), Flavio Cobolli (7-5, 6-1), and Yoshihito Nishioka (6-4, 5-7, 6-1) but had not faced the Serb since the second round of the 2018 French Open, which Djokovic won in three sets at the time.

Ranked 41st in the world, Munar hoped to pose problems for the Serb, and he succeeded in his mission. However, the first set was dominated by Djokovic, who was content with one break to take the lead in 44 minutes. The second set, however, was tighter.

The Spaniard took the lead and eventually seized his chance. On his second break point of the match, he finally found the key against the opponent's serve, leveling the match at one set all.

After missing his forehand, Djokovic then collapsed on the court, but that did not stop him from resuming his forward march. Thus, he eventually prevailed in three sets (6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in 2 hours and 41 minutes).

A victory that allows him to face Zizou Bergs for a spot in the semifinals. Djokovic also confirms that he feels at home in Shanghai. In eleven participations in the tournament, he has always reached at least the quarterfinals.

This victory by Djokovic also allows him to break a new record. Thus, at 38 years and 4 months, the man with 24 Grand Slams becomes the oldest player to reach the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000, surpassing the performance of Roger Federer in this same Shanghai tournament in 2019 (at 38 years and 2 months).