SHANGHAI – Novak Djokovic has begun bidding for the record fifth title at the Shanghai Masters after winning Marin Silick in straight sets on Friday in the Serbian’s first match since the US Open.
Fourth seeded Djokovic struggled to maintain his grip early in the second round match and had to sprinkle sawdust to fight the humidity before winning 7-6 (2), 6-4.
After defeating serve early in the second set, Djokovic had to fight two breakpoints in the final match.
This was his first match since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open semi-finals.
“I had a hard time finding my rhythm from the bassline,” Djokovic said. “I had a few games (missed) – my last match was the US Open – so I got a really tough opener against Marine.
“I think I dug myself out of trouble with a good serving, as he didn’t give me time to breathe. It clearly makes me happy.”
Djokovic will then face German qualifiers Yannick Hanfman, who defeated America’s Francis Tierfor 6-7 (9), 6-2 and 6-1.
Seed Ben Shelton, the sixth, who hadn’t played since suffering a left shoulder injury at the US Open, was beaten 6-2, 6-4 by David Goffin.
Goffin Broke served shortly after play resumed after a brief rain suspension.
Earlier in the week, Shelton said he hoped to qualify for the ATP Finals, which took place in Turin, Italy from November 9th, despite a five-week layoff.
Shelton is currently sixth in the Turin points race, with eight of them reaching the finals. But his Friday loss will put a dent in those ambitions.
All the top seed players in Shanghai received goodbye in the first round. Fifth seed Taylor Fritz was playing on Friday.
Jannik Sinner, who won the China Open Final in Beijing on Wednesday, is scheduled to play on Saturday. Top ranked Alcaraz, who defeated Fritz in the Japan Open Finals, announced after his victory in Tokyo that he would not play in Shanghai due to minor illness.
