Djokovic. – Foto: instagram
Novak Djokovic, world No. 5 in the ATP rankings, defeated Spaniard Jaume Munar 2-1 in the round of 16 at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. The 38-year-old Serbian won a hard-fought match at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, with a score of 6/7(2), 5/4, and 6/2, in a game lasting about two hours. The victory boosts Djokovic’s pursuit of his fifth title in the tournament, where he holds a record of 40 wins in 46 matches.
Munar, ranked 58th, put up resistance in the first set with strong break point conversions, succeeding in 3 of 8 opportunities. Djokovic, however, adjusted his serve in the third set, winning all service games. The match took place under hot and humid conditions, typical of the Chinese autumn, and highlighted the Serbian’s resilience after an inconsistent Masters 1000 campaign this year.
Djokovic entered as the favorite, with a 69% chance of advancing according to betting odds. Munar reached the round of 16 for the first time in a Masters 1000 on hard courts.
- Djokovic recorded 30 aces compared to Munar’s 3, dominating the serve.
- The Serbian won 76% of first-serve points and 70% of second-serve points.
- Munar converted only 1 of 2 break points, while Djokovic saved 3 of 8.
Serving performance seals comeback
Djokovic faced early challenges, losing the first set in a tiebreak after unforced errors. He committed two double faults in the deciding game but regained focus in the second set.
The serving points statistic favored the Serbian, with 60 points won compared to Munar’s 31. This efficiency allowed Djokovic to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm and take control.
Djokovic’s journey in Shanghai
The Serbian is competing in the tournament for the 11th time and aims to match the title record. In 2025, he reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slams but had early exits in Indian Wells and Monte-Carlo.
Djokovic defeated Marin Cilic in the first round 7/6(2), 6/4, marking his 40th win in Shanghai. Against Yannick Hanfmann in the second round, he won 4/6, 7/5, 6/3, despite minor physical issues.
His current campaign includes 32 wins and 10 losses this year, with renewed focus on Asian events. He ranks fourth in the race to the ATP Finals.
In their head-to-head, Djokovic leads 1-0 against Munar. The 27-year-old Spaniard has 18 hard-court wins in 2025 but faced the Serbian as an underdog with +320 odds.
Munar’s resilience on hard courts
Munar reached the round of 16 by defeating Yoshihito Nishioka 6/4, 5/7, 6/1. This was his first time at this stage of a Masters 1000 on hard courts.
The Spaniard showed solid defense, winning 59% of first-serve points. However, fatigue set in during the third set, where he lost four consecutive games.
Munar has 77 wins this season, focusing on European tournaments. In Shanghai, he aimed for his best Asian campaign since 2022.
Key match statistics
The ace disparity highlighted Djokovic’s power, with 30 against Munar’s 3. The Serbian also scored 91 total points, compared to Munar’s 79.
Djokovic won 17 games overall, including 14 service games. Munar achieved 62% success on second serves but failed to convert critical chances.
In the initial tiebreak, Munar led with early breaks. Djokovic, however, turned it around with precise forehands and varied slices, forcing errors.
- 85 consecutive points in favorable sequences for the Serbian.
- 36 consecutive service game wins in the tournament.
- Munar won 0 tiebreaks, while Djokovic dominated the only one played.
Upcoming challenges in the tournament
With the win, Djokovic awaits the winner of Tommy Paul vs. Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals. The draw opened up after the elimination of Jannik Sinner, the current world No. 1.
The Serbian trains daily to maintain rhythm, with recovery sessions post-match. In Shanghai, he has an 87% success rate in final sets.
Munar, now eliminated, returns to the European circuit next week. His Shanghai performance boosts his confidence for the season’s end.
