Follow usNovak Djokovic showed “a lot of guts,” in his own words, as he battled from a set down in heavy conditions to defeat qualifier Yannik Hanfmann and reach the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters. The 38-year-old Serbian fought through a tough start to claim a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory in a very difficult two-hour and 42-minute clash.
Djokovic, who lost the final in China last year against then-world number one Jannik Sinner, looked shaky from the start against Hanfmann, who came through qualifying and sits at No. 150 in the ATP rankings. The German surprised the crowd by taking the opening set with an ace, out-hitting Djokovic 17 winners to 10 and not facing a single break point.
The heat and humidity appeared to trouble the world number one, who poured water over his head during the second set to cool down. But the momentum began to shift as Djokovic dug deep, earning his first break points with Hanfmann serving to stay in the set at 5-6. A fierce forehand winner sealed the set for the Serb, who, in his now trademark move, turned to the crowd and pointed to his ear.
Novak Djokovic won his third round of Shanghai by a score of 4-6 7-5 6-3.
He’s 38. Has every big record. But yet look at how much it still means to him.
Watching Novak Djokovic play tennis is always a privilege.pic.twitter.com/3f30iL8xLe
— Danny (@DjokovicFan_) October 5, 2025
In the decider, Hanfmann’s began to drop off. A long forehand gifted Djokovic a crucial break at 3-1, and the 24-time Grand Slam champion calmly served out the match to complete the comeback. Djokovic will now face Spaniard Jaume Munar in the last 16.
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