Djokovic overcomes Michelsen in thrilling tiebreaker victory at Shanghai Masters
Novak Djokovic advanced to the next stage of the Shanghai Masters after a hard-fought win over American Alex Michelsen in a gripping two-set match, both of which ended in tiebreakers. The Serbian legend triumphed 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (11/9) to move forward in the tournament, securing his place after battling fiercely against the world No. 43 Michelsen.
Djokovic, a four-time champion in Shanghai, faced an unexpected challenge early on as Michelsen broke his serve and raced to a 1-4 lead in the first set. The crowd, which had warmly welcomed Djokovic as the “Greatest of All Time,” was stunned as the 20-year-old American showed no fear against the 37-year-old tennis icon. However, Djokovic quickly found his rhythm, leveling the set and dominating the tiebreak to win 7-3.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Michelsen fighting back to force another tiebreaker. Djokovic, known for his composure in high-pressure situations, remained calm and closed out the match after a thrilling 11-9 tiebreak. After the match, Djokovic praised Michelsen’s performance, admitting he was surprised by the American’s resilience. “It took me a little bit of time to get the rust off and to start feeling better on the court,” Djokovic said. “I was very glad to keep calm when it mattered in both tiebreaks.”
Djokovic’s victory was celebrated not just for the tennis but also for his efforts to connect with the Chinese crowd. After speaking Mandarin during the post-match interview, he delighted fans even further by attempting a sentence in Shanghainese, sending the packed stadium into a frenzy.
Elsewhere, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz showed why they are among the top players in the world with commanding performances. Sinner cruised past Japan’s Taro Daniel 6-1, 6-4, while Alcaraz easily defeated China’s Shang Juncheng 6-2, 6-2. Both players will now move on to the next round with momentum on their side.
Djokovic’s victory sets the stage for further drama in the tournament as he seeks to add yet another Shanghai title to his storied career.
