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
Mohammad Alorabi crowned Saudi Toyota Drift Championship 2025 champion
- The event, hosted in Al-Ahsa, was organized by the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation
- The final race drew an impressive crowd and unfolded in an atmosphere charged with excitement and intensity
AL-AHSA: Saudi driver Mohammad Alorabi was crowned on Friday as the champion of the Saudi Toyota Drift Championship 2025.
Alorabi secured the season title despite finishing second in the championship’s third and final round that ended Friday evening.
Hosted in Al-Ahsa, the event was organized by the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), supported by the Ministry of Sport, and held in collaboration with Jameel Motorsport, the official partner, and the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.
The final race drew an impressive crowd and unfolded in an atmosphere charged with excitement and intensity, as competition escalated across all categories. During the awards ceremony, the top three winners from each of the championship’s three categories were crowned, marking a fitting conclusion to a highly competitive season.
The celebratory scenes underscored the event’s success and highlighted its growing stature within the Saudi motorsport landscape.
The Professional Class delivered a fierce finale, where Bader Alshurayhi clinched first place in the final round after a powerful and exceptional performance that set him ahead of the competition. He was followed by Mohammad Alorabi, who secured second place in the round yet maintained enough points to be crowned the overall Saudi champion for the 2025 season. Yousef Bahuwerth finished third, completing a highly competitive podium that reflected the strong level of talent in this category.
In the Semi-Professional Class, the action was equally intense. Obadah Osailan succeeded in securing the title after a closely fought battle, demonstrating consistency and skill throughout the final runs. He was followed by Abdulmohsen Alkhuriji in second place, while Omar Aldini claimed third, marking a strong conclusion to one of the season’s most competitive divisions.
The Amateur Class, known for its wide participation and spirited competition, saw Saud Abdullah Alabbasi emerge victorious after delivering an impressive performance that placed him firmly at the top of the standings. Fahad Ahmed Alhodayan finished in second place, showcasing solid control and improvement, while Mohammed Aljamid secured third place, completing a podium that highlighted the depth of rising talent in Saudi motorsport.
With these results, the Saudi Toyota Drift Championship 2025 concludes a season filled with excitement and high energy, further strengthening drift racing as one of the Kingdom’s leading motorsport disciplines.
