Shanghai Masters: Djokovic returns with victory against Michelsen

Novak Djokovic on his return to Shanghai for the first time since 2019, produced a sublime performance to grab an outstanding second round victory on Saturday at the Shanghai Masters.

The 37-year-old Serbian began his quest for a 100th title after overcoming a sluggish start to defeat Alex Michelsen 7-6(3), 7-6(9) to.move into the third round after a pulsating second-round clash.

“It was the first match against Alex and I also hadn’t played in a while, so it took me a little time to get the rust off,” said Djokovic, who boasts a record 35 match wins in Shanghai. “He started off terrifically; big serves and an aggressive style of tennis… he’s not afraid to step it up and take it to his opponent.

“It was a very close encounter and I thought a high level of tennis in both sets. I’m just glad to keep calm when it mattered in the second-set tie-break.”

Still wearing a protective sleeve over his right knee, on which he had meniscus surgery, Djokovic will next play the winner of 28th-seeded Flavio Cobolli or longtime rival Stan Wawrinka.