Hubert Hurkacz defeats Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 at Shanghai Masters 2026 and joins exclusive club

Hubert Hurkacz defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 at the Shanghai Masters 2026 on October 9, 2026, ending an eight-match losing streak against the Serbian. With the victory Hurkacz joined Andy Murray, Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem as one of four players to beat the 'Big 3' on their favoured surfaces.

Hurkacz entered the match having lost all eight previous meetings with Djokovic and recorded his first win in nine encounters between them. He returned to a tournament where he lifted the title in 2023. Djokovic had won a record-extending seventh China Open title in Beijing days earlier and is a four-time Shanghai Masters champion.

Hurkacz served 13 aces and produced 28 winners across the contest, completing the match in one hour and 27 minutes. He took the opening set 6-4 and closed out the second 6-3. His aggressive play and effectiveness on serve prevented Djokovic from establishing control.

By defeating Djokovic, Hurkacz joined Andy Murray, Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem as the only players to defeat the Big 3 on their favoured surfaces. Andy Murray established himself as one of the leading rivals to Nadal, Federer and Djokovic during the Big Four era, with victories against the trio across their favoured surfaces. Alexander Zverev defeated Nadal on clay, Federer on grass at Halle in 2016 and Djokovic on hard courts on multiple occasions. Dominic Thiem’s wins included Nadal on clay, Federer on grass in Stuttgart in 2016 and Djokovic on hard courts at the ATP Finals in 2019 and 2020.

Hurkacz’s individual set of victories now includes Rafael Nadal in Rome in 2024, Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2021 and Novak Djokovic in Shanghai in 2026. The win ended his eight-match losing run against Djokovic and was his first victory over Djokovic in nine meetings. The report described the Shanghai result as one of the most significant wins of his season and said it strengthens his reputation as a formidable opponent on hard courts.

Hurkacz will next face China’s Zhou Yi in the third round. The defeat ended Djokovic’s Shanghai campaign shortly after his record-extending seventh China Open title in Beijing.