Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic suffered a shocking second-round defeat at the Shanghai Masters, losing to Poland's Hubert Hurkacz on October 12, 2026. This unexpected loss came just three days after Djokovic's triumph at the China Open in Beijing. The 39-year-old had been on an 11-month title drought before claiming his 102nd career title in Beijing. Djokovic's loss to Hurkacz marked their first meeting in nine career encounters.
Hurkacz, currently ranked 34th in the world, secured a convincing 6-4, 6-3 victory over Djokovic in just 87 minutes. The big-serving Hurkacz had previously won in 2023 and was able to capitalize on Djokovic's fatigue, having played six matches in 10 days. Hurkacz expressed his delight at the win, stating that it was a special night for him to share a court with a legend of the sport like Djokovic.
Djokovic's recent form had been impressive, with his victory in Beijing marking his 21st consecutive year with a tour-level singles title. He had also extended his winning streak to 34 matches in Beijing, where he defeated world number two Alexander Zverev and led third seed Daniil Medvedev by a set and a break before the Russian was defaulted. However, his Shanghai campaign was undone by a single break of serve in both sets against Hurkacz.
The loss to Hurkacz has significant implications for Djokovic's chances of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals. Currently ninth in the race to Turin, Djokovic will need a strong showing at the Paris Masters in November to break into the top eight. His recent performances have been closely watched, especially after his Australian Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in January.
In other Shanghai Masters news, Great Britain's Arthur Fery was beaten in a closely contested three-set match against former top-10 player Karen Khachanov. Fery, who had a remarkable run to the Wimbledon semi-finals this year, lost 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-2) after three-and-a-half hours. This was a tough draw for Fery, who has been making a name for himself in the tennis world.
Hurkacz's win over Djokovic was a notable upset, given the Serb's impressive recent form. Hurkacz has been playing against Djokovic for around seven years, but had previously been unsuccessful in their encounters. He described it as a pleasure to share a court with a great champion like Djokovic, who had just won in Beijing.
The Shanghai Masters continues to be a significant event in the tennis calendar, with several top players competing for the title. While Djokovic's early exit may come as a surprise to some, it highlights the competitive nature of the tournament and the challenges that top players face in maintaining their form throughout the season. The Paris Masters in November will be crucial for Djokovic's season, as he looks to secure a spot in the ATP Finals.
Key points
- Djokovic's 34-match winning streak ends with a surprise loss to Hubert Hurkacz at the Shanghai Masters.
- The loss affects Djokovic's chances of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals.
- Hurkacz secured a convincing 6-4, 6-3 victory over Djokovic in just 87 minutes.
