Novak Djokovic Discusses the Extreme Humid Conditions in Shanghai After Heroic Comeback Win Against Yannick Hanfmann

Novak Djokovic is the favorite to win the Shanghai Masters after Jannik Sinner's exit.

Novak Djokovic Discusses the Extreme Humid Conditions in Shanghai After Heroic Comeback Win Against Yannick Hanfmann

Novak Djokovic (via X/Olly Tennis)

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Novak Djokovic continues to show his hunger for competition, even after winning every major title and setting countless records. That drive helped him overcome Yannick Hanfmann in a demanding match at the Shanghai Masters.

Hanfmann, ranked No. 150, produced some of the best tennis of his career. Djokovic looked drained in the humid conditions and struggled to find rhythm, which gave the German real chances of pulling off an upset. Djokovic said in his post-match press conference:

This is the same for everyone, but it’s brutal when you have 80% humidity day after day, especially for those who play in the morning, where the sun makes everything worse. Biologically, it’s more challenging for me to deal with these kinds of things. Today, I had to deal with this storm, in addition to Yannick playing an incredible match from the very start. I couldn’t ask for more, having played nearly three hours in front of this crowd chanting my name at 38 years old in the third round of an M1000. This is like a dream for me.

The 38-year-old Serbian needed almost three hours to secure victory in three sets. He was far from his best but fought for every point to avoid an early exit. With the win, Djokovic reached the round of 16, where he will face Spain’s Jaume Munar.

Djokovic, a finalist in Shanghai last year, has kept strong form despite playing a lighter schedule this season. He sits third in the ATP Race, with 21 wins in his last 24 matches. In that stretch, only Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have managed to beat him.

Novak Djokovic passes stern test in Shanghai

Former World No.1 Novak Djokovic endured a tough night at the Shanghai Masters but advanced to the fourth round with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann. The match lasted two hours and 45 minutes, making it one of his longest best-of-three battles this season. With the victory, the four-time champion set up a clash with Spain’s Jaume Munar.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

Hanfmann started brightly, using his big serve and variety to trouble the Serbian. He hit four straight aces in the opening set and kept Djokovic on the back foot. The world No. 150 looked close to a shock result, while Djokovic appeared to struggle physically and was seen sick during a changeover.

Despite the setbacks, Djokovic refused to fold. He shortened rallies and slowly turned the match in his favour. Hanfmann struck 33 winners, including 13 aces, but could not stop the Serbian once he found momentum late in the second set.

The turning point came when Djokovic converted set point to level the contest, lifting the energy inside the stadium. He then broke early in the final set and never looked back. The 38-year-old secured his second win over Hanfmann in their head-to-head record, keeping his Shanghai title hopes alive.

Novak Djokovic equals another Rafael Nadal record

Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic had to fight hard on Sunday but secured his place in the Shanghai Masters round of 32. The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost the opening set to world No. 150 Yannick Hanfmann before recovering for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal (Image via X/US Open Tennis)

The result marked another milestone in his legendary career. Djokovic equaled a record previously held alone by Rafael Nadal, adding yet another achievement to his growing list.

According to OptaAce, the Serbian has now reached the round of 16 at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments 112 times. Nadal had stood alone with that mark since the series began in 1990. With Nadal no longer active at this level, Djokovic is well placed to surpass his rival. Still competing at the highest standard, he looks set to take sole possession of the record in the near future.

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