Polish tennis star Hubert Hurkacz has produced one of the biggest victories of his career, defeating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 at the Shanghai Masters on Friday, 9 October. The 29-year-old from Wrocław delivered a commanding performance against the 24-time Grand Slam champion, ending a run of eight consecutive defeats against the Serbian and advancing to the third round of the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
The victory was particularly significant for Hurkacz, who had never previously beaten Djokovic despite facing him eight times over seven years.
The Polish player needed just 87 minutes to secure his breakthrough, recording 13 aces and 28 winners against one of the most successful players in tennis history, according to Reuters’ match report.
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Djokovic, 39, arrived in Shanghai having won the China Open in Beijing earlier in the week. He had been seeking a fifth Shanghai Masters title, having previously lifted the trophy four times.
Hurkacz takes control in decisive moments
The opening set was closely contested, with both players holding serve through the first nine games.
Hurkacz, known for one of the strongest serves on the ATP Tour, repeatedly used that advantage to keep Djokovic under pressure while remaining competitive in the baseline exchanges.
The decisive moment came with Djokovic serving at 4-5.
The Pole secured the first break of the match to claim the opening set 6-4, denying his opponent the chance to force a tie-break.
Djokovic appeared increasingly frustrated as the match progressed and showed signs of physical discomfort. However, Hurkacz continued to play aggressively, maintaining his concentration and making the most of his opportunities.
In the second set, the Polish player secured an earlier break of serve and consolidated his advantage.
Djokovic struggled to establish a consistent rhythm, while Hurkacz continued to produce powerful serves and accurate groundstrokes.
The Pole eventually closed out the match 6-3 in the second set, sealing his first victory over the Serbian in their ninth encounter.
A victory seven years in the making
The result was particularly satisfying for Hurkacz given the history between the two players.
Their previous meetings had included several closely fought contests, most notably the 2025 Geneva Open final, when Djokovic came from behind to defeat Hurkacz in three sets and claim the 100th singles title of his career.
Before Friday, the Serbian had won all eight of their encounters.
Speaking after his Shanghai victory, Hurkacz acknowledged the significance of finally overcoming a player he has long admired.
As reported in his post-match reaction carried by Przegląd Sportowy, the Pole described the occasion as special and said competing against Djokovic remained a privilege.
He also credited his ability to stay focused during difficult moments, particularly when facing pressure on his own serve.
Hurkacz has now beaten Federer, Nadal and Djokovic
Friday’s victory also gives Hurkacz an impressive distinction: he has now defeated all three members of men’s tennis’s celebrated Big Three — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
In July 2021, he stunned Federer in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, winning 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-0 on Centre Court. The result ended the Swiss player’s hopes of winning a ninth Wimbledon singles title and sent Hurkacz into his first Grand Slam semi-final.
Three years later, in May 2024, Hurkacz defeated Nadal 6-1, 6-3 at the Italian Open in Rome, overcoming the 10-time champion on clay, the surface on which the Spaniard built much of his extraordinary career.
The Shanghai victory completes the trio, with Hurkacz having beaten Federer on grass, Nadal on clay and Djokovic on hard court — the surfaces most closely associated with each player’s greatest achievements.
For a Polish player who has experienced a difficult period with injuries and interruptions to his career, the achievement adds another memorable chapter to an already distinguished record.
Shanghai remains a special tournament for Hurkacz
The Shanghai Masters holds particular significance for the Polish player.
In 2023, Hurkacz won the tournament after defeating Russia’s Andrey Rublev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(8) in a dramatic final, saving a championship point before securing his second ATP Masters 1000 title.
He subsequently missed the 2024 and 2025 editions.
This year’s return has already proved successful. Hurkacz defeated Australia’s James Duckworth 6-3, 7-6(4) in the opening round before overcoming Djokovic.
The latest result extends his winning streak in Shanghai to eight matches.
It also continues an encouraging period for the Pole, who reached the Chengdu final in September and the China Open semi-finals in Beijing earlier this month.
His Beijing campaign ended when he retired against Alex de Minaur because of an injury, raising concerns about his physical condition ahead of Shanghai.
Friday’s result represents another positive step in his return to form.
Who will Hurkacz face next?
Hurkacz advances to the third round of the Shanghai Masters, where he will face either Italian 24th seed Lorenzo Musetti or Chinese wildcard Yi Zhou.
Their second-round match was scheduled for Friday, following Djokovic’s encounter with Hurkacz.
The Shanghai Masters is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, the highest category of regular men’s tour events below the four Grand Slams.
For Hurkacz, the immediate reward is a place in the next round. The broader significance lies in finally overcoming an opponent who had repeatedly denied him victories on some of tennis’s biggest stages.
After eight defeats across seven years, the Polish player has finally beaten Djokovic — and done so in straight sets at a tournament where he has already experienced championship success.
