Novak Djokovic faced an unexpected second-round defeat against Hubert Hurkacz at the Shanghai Masters on October 9, 2023. This loss came just three days after Djokovic celebrated victory at the China Open in Beijing, marking the 102nd title of his illustrious career.

The match concluded with Hurkacz, currently ranked 34th in the world, defeating Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 in just 87 minutes. This marked the first win for Hurkacz in nine encounters against the Serbian star.

Hurkacz expressed his excitement post-match, stating:

"It's a special night. I've been playing Novak for like seven years. It's been unsuccessful but [he has been] such a great champion for so many years."

Djokovic, who recently achieved a remarkable 34-match winning streak, had just won the Beijing title, making this loss particularly surprising. The match showcased a single break of serve in both sets, proving decisive in Hurkacz's victory.

This defeat complicates Djokovic's quest for qualification for the season-ending ATP Finals. Currently sitting ninth in the rankings, he will need a strong performance at the upcoming Paris Masters in November to secure a top-eight finish.

In another match, Arthur Fery from Great Britain fell short against former top-10 player Karen Khachanov, losing a tightly contested battle 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-2) after three and a half hours on the court.