Shanghai – Novak Djokovic launched his candidacy for a fifth record title at the Shanghai Masters with a direct victory on Marin Cilic Friday in the first Serbian match since the US Open.
The fourth seeded Djokovic struggled to maintain a grip at the start of the second round match and had to sprinkle with sawdust on his hands to fight humidity before prevailing 7-6 (2), 6-4.
After having broken the service at the start of the second set, Djokovic had to fight two break points in the last match before sealing the victory with an ace – his 10th in the match.
It was his first match since his loss against Carlos Alcaraz in the American semi-finals.
“I had trouble finding my rhythm of the basic line,” said Djokovic. “I [lacked] Some games – my last one was at the Open in the United States – so I had a really difficult opening match against Marin, which, when he feels the ball, is so dangerous and can beat anyone.
“He didn’t give me time to breathe, so I think I got out of trouble with a good portion, which obviously makes me happy.”
Djokovic faces Next the German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, who beat American Frances Tiafoe 6-7 (9), 6-2, 6-1.
Ben Shelton, sixth seeded, who had not played since his left shoulder injury to the US Open, was beaten 6-2, 6-4 by David Goffin.
Goffin broke the service shortly after the game resumed after a short suspension of rain.
Earlier in the week, Shelton said that despite the five -week layoff, he still hoped to qualify for the ATP final in Turin, Italy from November 9.
Shelton is currently sixth in the Turin Points race, eight taking place. But his loss on Friday will put a breach in these ambitions.
Shanghai’s best -classified players have all received first -round Byes. Taylor Fritz, fifth seeded, was playing later on Friday.
Jannik Sinner, who won the China Open final in Beijing on Wednesday, is expected to play on Saturday. Alcaraz, the best classified, who beat Fritz in the Open Japan final, announced after his victory in Tokyo that he would not play in Shanghai due to minor diseases.
