SHANGHAI, OCT 9 (IANS): Hubert Hurkacz defeated former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4 to register his first career win over the Serbian great, while Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto stunned 2023 finalist Andrey Rublev in the second round of the Shanghai Masters on Friday.
Hurkacz, who won the Shanghai title in 2023, ended his eight-match losing streak against Djokovic in their ninth meeting. The Pole dominated with his powerful serve and effective baseline play, while Djokovic appeared to struggle physically after playing six matches in 10 days, including his China Open title-winning campaign in Beijing.
“It’s a special night. I’ve been playing Novak for like seven years, so it’s been unsuccessful, but he has been such a great champion for so many years,” Hurkacz said after the win.
Hurkacz also became the fourth man to register at least one hard-court victory over Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic, joining Andy Murray, Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev.
Earlier, Japanese qualifier Sakamoto defeated World No. 23 Rublev 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 22 minutes. The World No. 137 broke the Russian twice and saved both break points to advance to the round of 32.
Rublev, who lost the 2023 Shanghai final to Hubert Hurkacz, has won one tour-level title this year, at the Nordea Open. Sakamoto will next face Australian Alex de Minaur, who advanced after Alex Molcan withdrew from their second-round match.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Alexander Zverev overcame home favourite Wu Yibing 6-4, 7-6(4) to reach the third round. Zverev briefly appeared to twist his ankle late in the second set but recovered to seal the victory in one hour and 36 minutes.
“I thought I was serving OK, but everything else was in his hands, and he was playing well in the second set, so I am pleased to have got through in straight sets,” Zverev said.
In another second-round upset, World No. 83 Adrian Mannarino defeated seventh-ranked Flavio Cobolli 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.
American Ben Shelton celebrated his 24th birthday with a 6-3, 7-6(6) victory over Daniel Altmaier. Shelton, who reached the US Open final, is seeking his second Masters 1000 title after winning the Canadian Open earlier this year.
