Overview

• Novak Djokovic defeated Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 to begin his Shanghai Masters campaign, marking his 40th career win at the event and moving into the third round.
• Djokovic said players are "still not united enough" to drive schedule reform, calling on leading names to invest time and work together on welfare issues.
• He reiterated that best‑of‑three Masters events give him a better chance against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and said the only event he is currently committed to after Shanghai is Athens.
• World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from Shanghai to rest a minor issue following Tokyo, changing the title picture and leaving the top seed spot vacant.
• Sixth seed Ben Shelton, returning from a shoulder injury, lost 6-2, 6-4 to David Goffin to become the tournament’s first top‑10 seed to exit.