Novak Djokovic has undergone an unexpected elimination at Shanghai Masters 2026, losing in two sets to Hubert Hookacz, with a score of 6-4, 6-3.
According to Reuters agency, Polish tennis player conducted one of his career's most convincing performances, first defeating the Serbian champion and ensuring the qualifications in the third round of the tournament.
Hurkacz particularly dominated with his powerful service, implementing 13 ace and 28 winning blows. Djokovic, four-time champion in Shanghai, failed to find answers to his opponent's pace.
The loss comes just days after 39-year-old won the seventh record title at the China Open, creating expectations that it could continue with good results in Shanghai.
Reuters reports that Hurkacz, who had returned to this tournament after two years of absence, has extended to eight series of successive victories in Shanghai Masters.
Elimination represents a blow to Djokovic's ambitions in the final part of the season. The Serbian tennis player is now expected to focus attention on Paris Masters, where he will seek important points for the qualifications at the ATP Finals in Turin.
Currently, Djokovic ranks ninth in the final tournament, attended by the eight best tennis players of the year.
Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev continued his journey to Shanghai, defeating local tennis player Wu Yibing with a score of 6-4, 7-6ı4.
According to Reuters, the German remains in the race to end the year as the world's number one, while knee damage that has ended the Jannik Sinner season has created new opportunities in the world rankings.
For Djokovic, who continues to compete at the highest level even at the age of 39, the next challenge will be a return in shape and ensuring a country among the top eight in the season.
