Shanghai Masters 2026 Tennis Live Updates: Novak Djokovic Lures Hubert Hurkacz to Net Before Stunning Forehand Winner | WATCH VIDEO

Hubert Hurkacz had Novak Djokovic completely on the ropes in the opening set in Shanghai. The big-serving Pole was firing 140 mph serves and looked set to run away with the match.

Then Djokovic did what he always does when his back is against the wall. He pulled off an impossible running passing shot that left Hurkacz smiling in disbelief. Here is the clip from their Round of 64 clash.

From the source The tactician 🧠 @DjokerNole #RolexShanghaiMasters https://t.co/WnkznqKAl1

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Hurkacz had full control of the rally. He pushed Djokovic deep behind the baseline and came charging into the net behind a heavy approach shot.

Djokovic had almost no angle to work with.

Sprinting to his right, he slid across the hard court and whipped a forehand right past Hurkacz at the net.

The ball clipped the sideline clean. Hurkacz didn’t even bother chasing it, he just turned around and gave Djokovic a nod of respect.

Djokovic dropped the first set and has been struggling to read Hurkacz’s first serve all afternoon.

Hurkacz gave him almost nothing on his service games, forcing Djokovic to fight for every single point from the baseline.

The Shanghai crowd was quiet early on, but this point completely shifted the noise inside Qizhong Arena.

Djokovic is trying to dig his way out of an early upset in his first match since the Beijing final.

Hurkacz has always been a tough matchup on fast courts because of his massive serve.

The Polish star was regularly hitting 135 to 140 mph on his first delivery, giving Djokovic almost no looks at second serves.

Djokovic struggled with his timing early and could not find his usual rhythm from the baseline.

Dropping the opening set put him in danger of an early exit in a tournament he has won four times.

Djokovic has a massive fanbase in China, but the arena was quiet while Hurkacz was on top.

This single winner changed the entire mood in the building.

The crowd started chanting his name, and Djokovic used that energy to reset his focus.

It was another reminder that no matter how bad things look, you can never count Djokovic out.