Djokovic Triumphs Against Munar Amidst Heat, Illness & Injury in Shanghai
Serbian star edges past Spaniard 6-3, 5-7, 6-2
October 07, 2025
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Novak Djokovic showcasing his skills on Tuesday in Shanghai.
By Sam Jacot
Novak Djokovic battled through intense humidity, an ankle injury, and the formidable Jaume Munar to secure his place in the quarter-finals of the Rolex Shanghai Masters for the 11th consecutive time.
Throughout the two-hour and forty-minute match, the Serbian star took multiple medical timeouts for leg discomfort and often cooled himself with ice towels, contending with humidity levels soaring above 82 percent. At various points, Djokovic struggled with nausea and even collapsed after relinquishing the second set, necessitating medical assistance.
Nevertheless, the 38-year-old rose to the occasion, demonstrating remarkable resilience as he ultimately defeated Munar 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in what was one of the season’s most grueling encounters.
After dropping the second set, Djokovic seized a pivotal moment early in the third set when Munar faltered, missing an easy overhead smash at 40/15. This mistake opened the door for Djokovic, who quickly broke Munar’s serve and maintained an aggressive approach throughout the decisive set, aiming to minimize rally lengths. Djokovic registered an impressive shot quality score of 9.6 on his forehand, averaging 84 mph and effectively dictating play.
Shot Quality is evaluated on a scale of 0-10, reflecting the quality of a player’s serve, return, forehand, and backhand in real-time by assessing factors such as speed, spin, depth, and tactical impact on the opponent.
With this victory, Djokovic has now reached the quarter-finals in all 11 of his Shanghai appearances, clinching the title a remarkable four times. Currently ranked No. 5 in the PIF ATP Rankings, he stands as the highest-rated left-handed player in the tournament and will face Belgian Zizou Bergs in his next match.
On the hunt for a record-extending 41st ATP Masters 1000 title and his first since Paris in 2023, Djokovic aims to improve upon his earlier defeat to #NextGenATP star Jakub Mensik in the Miami final this year. Holding a solid 35-10 record for the year, the seven-time Nitto ATP Finals champion is presently third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
