Novak Djokovic in history, breaking another incredible record

Another tournament, another record for Novak Djokovic. At the Shanghai Masters 1000, the Serbian champion — No. 5 in the world rankings and fourth favorite on the draw — overcame Jaume Munar (No. 41) with a score of 6-3 5-7 6-2 after a two-hour, 42-minute battle. At 38 years and four months, the former world number one thus becomes the oldest tennis player ever to reach the quarterfinals in a Masters 1000. It will also be the 97th career quarterfinal for him in tournaments in this category.

Awaiting him will be Zizou Bergs (No. 44), in his first experience at this level after saving two match points against Gabriel Diallo (No. 35 and No. 31 in the seeding). At the same lower end of the scoreboard, Holger Rune and the tournament’s revelation, Valentin Vacherot, will compete: the Monegasque world No. 204 qualifier is in fact the first tennis player from the Principality to go this far in an ATP event. Rune (No. 11) defeated Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, while Vacherot eliminated Tallon Griekspoor.

Djokovic’s 417th victory in a Masters 1000-another all-time record-is yet another demonstration of resilience by the Belgrade champion, who once again belies age and physical limitations. Against Munar, ten years younger and in great shape, “Nole” also had to deal with a physical setback: in the third game he stopped after a recovery, touching the area between his ankle and calf, later treated by the physiotherapist.