SHANGHAI: Novak Djokovic needed medical attention after losing the second set but recovered to beat Jaume Munar 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in hot and humid conditions at the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday.
After losing a long rally by sending a forehand wide to end the second set, Djokovic slumped to the ground and remained sprawled on his back with his forearm over his eyes for several seconds. He then slowly sat up and rested his head between his legs before he was helped back to his chair by a trainer.
He was given medical treatment in his chair before the start of the third set but then broke Munar straight away after his opponent missed a simple overhead when leading 40-15.
The 38-year-old Djokovic declined to do the traditional on-court interview after the match but wrote on X: “Tough day at the office. Very challenging physically.”
The win made Djokovic the oldest man to reach the last eight at an ATP Masters 1000 event — two months older than Roger Federer was when he reached the quarterfinals in Shanghai in 2019.
Djokovic is chasing a record-extending 41st Masters title.
He will next face Zizou Bergs of Belgium.
Tenth-seeded Holger Rune also came through a tough challenge, defeating big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-3.
Djokovic overcomes fatigue and humidity to reach Shanghai quarterfinals
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Djokovic overcomes fatigue and humidity to reach Shanghai quarterfinals
- The win made Djokovic the oldest man to reach the last eight at an ATP Masters 1000 event
Al-Ain set to host UAE National MMA Championship 5
- More than 300 athletes will compete in the tournament, which takes place on Dec. 13-14 at UAE University
AL-AIN: The UAE National MMA Championship 5 will take place from Dec. 13-14 at the UAE University in Al Ain, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation has confirmed.
The two-day competition will bring together more than 300 athletes across multiple various age groups — Youth D (10–11 years), Youth C (12–13 years), Youth B (14–15 years) and Youth A (16–17 years). There is also an adults’ division for those aged 18 and over.
Hosting the championship in Al-Ain is part of the federation’s strategy to grow mixed martial arts across the UAE and give athletes more opportunities to develop skills, compete, and progress toward higher-level events.
Mohamed bin Dalmouj Al-Dhaheri, UAEJJF board member, said the event was a key step in growing MMA in the UAE, especially with more athletes from different age groups joining the sport.
“This championship gives athletes a competitive platform to develop and allows coaches to spot new talent and help them improve,” he said. “Hosting the event in Al-Ain shows the federation’s commitment to reaching all parts of the country and providing regular championships that support athletes’ goals.
“This fifth edition is a strong finish to a busy and successful season. The previous four rounds attracted hundreds of athletes of various ages and levels, reinforcing the championship as a key platform for finding and developing new talent.”
