Novak Djokovic suffered a surprising early exit at the Shanghai Masters, losing 6-4, 6-3 to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in his opening match.
The defeat ended Djokovic’s seven-match winning streak, just days after the Serbian tennis star captured the Beijing Open title.
According to The Big Lead, Hurkacz delivered an impressive serving performance to claim his first career victory over Djokovic after eight previous defeats.
The result also marked the first time Djokovic had lost his opening match at the Shanghai tournament.
Hubert Hurkacz Ends Djokovic’s Winning Streak
Djokovic arrived in Shanghai following a demanding week in Beijing, where he won the championship after playing on three consecutive days.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion appeared physically fatigued during his match against Hurkacz.
The Polish player took advantage of the situation, relying on his powerful serve and consistent play to control the contest.
Hurkacz had struggled with injuries and inconsistent results in recent months.
He was also forced to retire during the Beijing Open semifinals the previous week.
The victory represented a significant turnaround for Hurkacz, who had previously lost all eight meetings with Djokovic.
Their most recent encounter came in the 2025 Geneva Open final, where Djokovic recovered from a set down to secure his 100th career title.
Djokovic Faces Tougher Race for ATP Finals
The Shanghai defeat could complicate Djokovic’s hopes of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals.
According to the report, Djokovic was ninth in the ATP Race to Turin standings at the time of his elimination.
Only the top eight eligible players qualify for the prestigious year-end tournament.
Australia’s Alex de Minaur, another contender in the qualification race, had already advanced to the Shanghai round of 32 following a walkover.
Djokovic’s early elimination leaves him with fewer opportunities to collect ranking points as the season approaches its final stages.
Meanwhile, Hurkacz advances in Shanghai with renewed confidence after recording one of his most significant victories of the season.
