Shanghai-Novak Djokovic needed medical attention after losing the second set, but recovered to beat Jaume Munar with 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in hot and humid conditions in the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday.
After having lost a long rally by sending a forehand wide to end the second set, Djokovic dropped to the floor and remained stretched out on his back with his forearm over his eyes for a few seconds. He then slowly sat up and let his head rest between his legs before being helped by a trainer back to his chair.
He received a medical treatment in his chair before the start of the third set, but then broke Munar immediately after his opponent missed a simple overhead when he led 40-15.
The 38-year-old Djokovic refused to do the traditional on-court interview after the game, but wrote on x: “Hard day at the office. Very physically very challenging.”
Hard day at the office. Physically very challenging. Fortunately I have the biggest support in the world 🫶õ. 我爱上海 pic.twitter.com/pgghha0zqm
– Novak Djokovic (@djokernole) October 7, 2025
The victory made Djokovic the oldest man to reach the last eight at an ATP Masters 1000 event – two months older than Roger Federer was when he reached the quarterfinals in Shanghai in 2019.
Djokovic chases a record-expanding 41st Masters title.
He will then be confronted with Zizou Bergs of Belgium.
The tenth placed Holger Rune also came through a heavy challenge, in which he defeated great serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-3.
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