Djokovic Advances Shanghai Masters Third Round, Shelton Exits Early

Novak Djokovic won his opening match at the Shanghai Masters, overcoming Marin Cilic in straight sets 7-6(2), 6-4, despite struggling to find his rhythm and battling the humidity with sawdust on his hands. The match featured two veteran players with a combined age of over 75 years, showcasing a high-quality contest that thrilled the Chinese crowd. Djokovic, who is aiming for a record-extending fifth Shanghai Masters title, had to fend off break points late in the match and sealed the win with an ace. Meanwhile, sixth-seeded Ben Shelton, recovering from a left shoulder injury, was defeated by David Goffin, which may hurt Shelton's chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin. Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, who recently won the Japan Open, withdrew from Shanghai due to minor ailments, while Jannik Sinner, fresh off a China Open win, is set to compete next. Djokovic expressed appreciation for the tough challenge posed by Cilic and emphasized the importance of serving well to secure victory after a break from competition since the US Open.