Shanghai – Novak Djokovic set out his record fifth title at the Shanghai Masters, the first game for the Serbs since the U.S. Open, defeating Marin Cilic.
The fourth seed Djokovic struggled to maintain grip early in the second round and had to sprinkle sawdust in his hands to fight humidity with 7-6 (2), 6-4 before occupying.
After a breakout early in the second set, Djokovic had to fight two breakout points in the final game before winning with the ace (his tenth game).
This is his first game since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the U.S. Open semifinals.
“I try to find the rhythm from the benchmark,” Djokovic said. “I [lacked] Some games – my last game was at the U.S. Open – so I played a very tough opener against Marin and when he felt the ball, he was so dangerous to beat anyone.
“He didn’t give me time to breathe, so I think I dug up the trouble with good service, which obviously made me happy.”
Next, Djokovic will face the German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, who beat American Frances Tiafoe 6-7 (9), 6-2, 6-1.
The sixth seed, Ben Shelton, has not played since he suffered a left shoulder injury at the U.S. Open, and was beaten 6-2, 6-4 by David Goffin.
After a brief pause in rain, Goffin stood out shortly after the game.
Earlier this week, Sheldon said he still hopes to compete in the ATP finals in Turin, Italy starting November 9, despite five weeks of layoffs.
Sheldon is currently ranked sixth in the Torino Points Competition, with eight finals. But his losses on Friday will put those ambitions in trouble.
Shanghai's best seed players all received goodbye in the first round. The fifth seed Taylor Fritz competes later on Friday.
Jannik Sinner won the China Open final in Beijing on Wednesday and is scheduled to compete on Saturday. The highest ranked Alcaraz beat Fritz in the Japan Open final and announced after his victory in Tokyo that he would not play in Shanghai due to a minor illness.