Novak Djokovic was back home in Shanghai, a tournament he won four times (2012, 2013, 2015, 2018) and from which he had been absent since 2019. The Serb got back to his old habits and imposed against Alex Michelsen in two tie-breaks (7-6, 7-6) but was upset by the American, 43rd in the world, who obtained two set points in the second set.
For his first match on the circuit (Davis Cup excluded) since his defeat in the third round of the US Open against Alexei Popyrin, the Serb did not show his best face but made sure to be imperial on the points important. Quickly trailing 4-1, he escaped in the tie-break of the first act, when he decided to accelerate.
The former world number one continued to push his opponent in the second set until leading 4-1 and obtaining two double-break points. Djokovic then relaxed and saw his opponent get back to 4-4. The second set was also decided in a tiebreak and the 38-year-old saved two set points after letting two match points slip away. The third was the good one for the Serb, relieved to return to success, in a tie-break finally won 11-9.
“It was the first game against Alex and I hadn’t played in a long time, so it took me a little while to shake off the rust. He started off great, with big serves and an aggressive style of tennis…he’s not afraid to step up and attack his opponent. It was a very close match and I found that both sets were of a very good level. I am happy to have been able to keep my calm in the decisive game of the second set,” said the man who has 35 victories in Shanghai.
For a place in the round of 16, Novak Djokovic will face the winner of the match between Stan Wawrinka, 236th in the world, or Flavio Cobolli, 30th.
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