Hubert Hurkacz returned to Shanghai with a win that sets up a meeting of former champions. On Thursday, October 8, the Pole defeated James Duckworth 6–3, 7–6(4) in 81 minutes to reach the second round of the Masters 1000 event. His 19 aces helped secure a clash with Novak Djokovic.
Back where he lifted the trophy
This is Hurkacz’s first appearance at the tournament since winning the title in 2023. The result extends a productive stretch in China: before Shanghai, he reached the Chengdu final and the Beijing semifinals.
Against Duckworth, his serve provided a strong foundation for a straight-sets win. The second set required a tie-break, which Hurkacz took 7–4. The official Tennis TV highlights featured here include the match in a day-two compilation that also covers other contests from the round.
Djokovic brings an unbeaten head-to-head record
Their meeting is scheduled to open Friday’s night session on October 9 at 6 p.m. in Shanghai, 7 a.m. in Brasília. Djokovic has won all eight of their previous meetings. The latest was far from straightforward: in the 2025 Geneva final, he needed more than three hours and two tie-breaks to win 5–7, 7–6(2), 7–6(2).
A four-time Shanghai champion, Djokovic arrives after winning the Beijing title on Tuesday. It was his first trophy of the season and his 102nd at tour level. In his pre-tournament press conference, the Serbian stressed his aim to carry that confidence into another deep run in China.
