Hurkacz ends Djokovic's Shanghai run 6-4, 6-3 days after Beijing title; Alcaraz opens tonight at 6pm

Novak Djokovic's stay at the Shanghai Masters ended in the second round on Friday, 9 October. Hubert Hurkacz beat the 10th seed 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 27 minutes. The result came only days after the 39-year-old Serb won his seventh China Open title in Beijing, the 102nd title of his career. For Hurkacz it was a first win over Djokovic, who had won all eight of their previous matches.

Hurkacz's serve does the damage

The Pole, a former world No. 6 and the 2023 Shanghai champion, was in control throughout on a quick court. He hit 13 aces and 28 winners and gave Djokovic very few chances on his serve, ending a run of eight straight defeats against the Serb.

Djokovic told reporters he was "not close to what I was playing in Beijing". He said he felt more tired and less sharp after his week in the Chinese capital, and that the speed of the court made things harder.

Hurkacz goes on to the third round, where he faces Lorenzo Musetti or Chinese wildcard Zhou Yi.

Djokovic now looks to Paris

Djokovic is a four-time Shanghai champion but has not won the event since 2018. He sits ninth in the race for the eight places at the ATP Finals in Turin. He has said the Paris Masters will be his only event in the European indoor swing next month. His 2026 season has been uneven: he lost in the first round of the US Open, his earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open, and then won in Beijing.

Zverev and Shelton advance, Cobolli falls

Top seed Alexander Zverev beat Chinese player Wu Yibing 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) and plays Quentin Halys next. Zverev is the top seed because Jannik Sinner has ended his season early with knee inflammation. The German can make sure of the year-end No. 1 ranking by reaching the semi-finals in Shanghai, or if Carlos Alcaraz or Ben Shelton lose at any stage.

Shelton marked his 24th birthday with a 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) win over Daniel Altmaier, the German who knocked out Holger Rune earlier in the week. Ninth seed Alex de Minaur went through when Alex Molcan retired. Karen Khachanov, the 26th seed, needed three tiebreaks and around three and a half hours to beat Britain's Arthur Fery. Roland Garros finalist Flavio Cobolli lost 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 to Adrian Mannarino.

Alcaraz's first match is on Saturday evening

Second seed Carlos Alcaraz, who had a first-round bye and comes in after keeping his Japan Open title in Tokyo, plays Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo on Stadium Court. The match is scheduled for 6pm Shanghai time, which is also 6pm in Malaysia, since both are on UTC+8. Alcaraz has never won the Shanghai title.

Defending champion Valentin Vacherot, who won in 2025 as the world No. 204, follows against Sebastian Baez at around 7.30pm. Earlier on Saturday, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz are all scheduled to play second-round matches.

WTA: Mertens stops Swiatek in Beijing

At the China Open in Beijing, Elise Mertens beat Iga Swiatek 7-6 (7-0), 6-3 to reach the semi-finals, having also beaten Coco Gauff earlier in the week. She will face home favourite Zheng Qinwen, who beat Elina Svitolina 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).

Key takeaways

• Hurkacz beat Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, his first win over him in nine meetings.
• Djokovic lost days after winning his seventh Beijing title and 102nd career title, and plans to play only Paris in the indoor swing.
• Zverev, the top seed with Sinner out for the season, can secure year-end No. 1 by reaching the Shanghai semi-finals.
• Alcaraz starts against Juan Manuel Cerundolo at 6pm Malaysia time on Saturday.

FAQ

What was the score in Hurkacz vs Djokovic in Shanghai? Hurkacz won 6-4, 6-3 in 87 minutes in the second round on Friday, 9 October.

Who does Hurkacz play next? He meets the winner of Lorenzo Musetti and Chinese wildcard Zhou Yi in the third round.

What time does Alcaraz play in Shanghai on Saturday? His match against Juan Manuel Cerundolo is scheduled for 6pm local time, the same as Malaysia time.

Sources: Reuters, Sky Sports, ATP Tour, Tennis Temple