Shanghai
Djokovic takes off CILIC in Shanghai bottle opener
Serbia’s 5th Shanghai crown chasing record
October 3, 2025
Rolex Shanghai Master
Novak Djokovic improved his record 40-6 in Shanghai.
Jerome Coombe
Novak Djokovic went to Old School with his tactics at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Friday night, where he overcame Marin Cilic 7-6 (2), 6-4 to start him for a record fifth championship.
Djokovic guided his inner Ivan Lendl, sprinkling wood chips on his hands to fight the humidity, which made him work hard to maintain his grip. He also absorbed Cilic’s heavy cannon, who beat 20 winners in the first set alone. Although he seemed to have adjusted his back in the third game of the second set, Djokovic was clean from both wings and won a tough victory in an hour, 55 minutes later.
“I try to find the rhythm from the benchmark.” “I [lacked] Some games – my last game was at the U.S. Open – so I played a tough opener against Marin, who was so dangerous when he felt the ball and could beat anyone. He didn’t give me time to breathe, so I thought I’d poached myself with good service, which obviously made me happy. ”
Same city, same story 🔁@djokernole Record his position in the third round for the 11th consecutive time in Shanghai@SH_Rolexmasters | #RolexShanghaimasters pic.twitter.com/nsbxxjwdon
– ATP Tour (@atptour) October 3, 2025
Despite recent fitness panic, including the physical concerns that plagued him during the U.S. Open last month, Djokovic’s trademark efficiency is still being fully demonstrated. The Serbs oppose Cilic, who now leads 20-2 in the Lexus ATP Head2head series, once again demonstrates his incredible ability to improve his level when needed.
The crowded crowd roared at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena to welcome Djokovic, tenth seeds Holger Rune and Countryman Hamad Medjedovic were there for his first return to the travel level action since his U.S. Open semifinal defeated Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic returns to Shanghai for the first time since losing to Jannik Sinner in the final last year, if both of them reach the semi-finals in 2025.
According to Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Djokovic became the one who won 40 victories with six different ATP Masters 1000 seasons since the 1990 introduction (Rome 68, Indian Wells 51, Paris 51, Paris 50, Paris 50, Miami 49, Cincinnati 45, Cincinnati 45).
The duel between Djokovic and Cilic is a 79-year-old and 139-day total, and is the oldest ATP Masters 1,000 major painting sessions since 1990, which proves the lasting power of both players. Djokovic has a record for most of his time in the world’s No. 1 (428), while Cilic, the top 3, is remembered for his 2014 U.S. Open victory, the winner of his 21 Tour titles.
“The respect for Marin, everything he has achieved and who he is as a person,” Djokovic said. “We’re very good off-field and we’ve known each other for many years. We last played three years ago, so it’s great to see him back to the level of playing.”
However, while Djokovic reached the semifinals in all four majors this year, his 1,000 Masters has staggered. Miami’s runner-up is an early export booking by India’s Wells, Monte Carlo and Madrid. Now Djokovic is one of his happiest hunting grounds in Shanghai, aiming to reset the balance.
The record seven-time NITTO ATP final is currently ranked fourth in the PIF ATP live competition, with a record of 31-10 this year.
