In a match that harkened back to their storied rivalry, Novak Djokovic edged out Marin Cilic 7-6(2), 6-4 on Friday evening at the ATP Shanghai Masters. The Serb, returning after a four-week break since the US Open, showed flashes of his vintage form but wasn't exactly dominant. Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion making a rare appearance at 36, pushed hard in the first set, forcing a tiebreak where Djokovic's precision finally prevailed. Indeed, the Croat's powerful serves kept things tight, but Djokovic broke through in the second set to seal the victory in straight sets.
This win marks Djokovic's first match since his semifinal exit in New York, and it comes amid a season where he's openly discussed scaling back his schedule. At 38, the 24-time Grand Slam winner arrived in Shanghai with a record-extending fifth title in sight here—his last triumph was in 2019. Yet, the match wasn't without its rust; Djokovic admitted post-match to feeling the effects of his time off, though his net play and baseline consistency shone through. Cilic, meanwhile, impressed in his comeback from injury, but couldn't quite replicate the firepower that once troubled Djokovic in major finals.
Now, Djokovic moves to the third round, where he'll face Frenchman Ugo Humbert. Humbert, ranked No. 19, upset higher seeds earlier this week with his aggressive lefty game, including a straight-sets win over a qualifier. This matchup could test Djokovic further—Humbert's flat groundstrokes and quick footwork have troubled top players before. Moreover, with Jannik Sinner in his half of the draw, Djokovic knows a potential semifinal looms large. However, the world No. 4 seems focused on building momentum, drawing motivation from family as he eyes the ATP Finals later this year.
The Shanghai Masters continues to deliver high drama, with Carlos Alcaraz also advancing smoothly in the other half. For Djokovic, this straight-sets progress feels like a quiet statement amid whispers of his evolving career priorities.
As the tournament heats up, one wonders how long Djokovic can maintain this balance between legacy and longevity.