Day 3 of the 2025 Shanghai Rolex Masters: Djokovic Opens with a Win, Kubot and Melo Triumph in Men's Doubles

On October 3rd, 2025, the third day of the main draw at the Shanghai Rolex Masters took place, featuring the second round of the men's singles bottom half. Serbian star Novak Djokovic, playing in the night session, defeated former US Open champion Marin Čilić 7-6(2), 6-4, extending his head-to-head record against this longtime rival to 20 wins and 2 losses. Djokovic also notched his 40th victory at this tournament.

Djokovic Claims His 40th Win in Shanghai

This match marked the oldest encounter in ATP Masters history. Djokovic commented, “Before the match, I realized that our combined ages totaled 75 years, which is quite a significant number. Hopefully, there will be even higher records in the future. Today, we played like we were 15 years younger. On the court, age doesn’t matter; everyone needs to find a way to win. My serving was excellent today—I served more aces than him, which is unusual since he (Čilić) has one of the best serves in the world. He challenged me a lot in the first set, but I managed to get through with my serve and some great points. It was a very tough match.”

Center Court Packed to Capacity

Djokovic also expressed his gratitude to the Chinese fans again: “It’s always a pleasure to play in front of such passionate supporters. Over the years, I have received a lot of love and support from everyone, so I try my best to repay that with great performances. I’m delighted to see a full house tonight. I know today is National Day and a weekend, so having such attendance for the first match is fantastic. This is one of the most beautiful tennis venues in the world, and I really enjoyed tonight’s match.”

Hanfmann

Djokovic’s third-round opponent will be German qualifier Daniel Hanfmann, who ousted the 25th seed Frances Tiafoe 6-7(9), 6-2, 6-1. Sixth seed and American left-hander Ben Shelton made his return after an injury at the US Open but lost 2-6, 4-6 to former top-10 player David Goffin in the second round, making him the highest seed eliminated so far. This year’s Hangzhou champion Alexander Bublik suffered back-to-back first-round exits in Beijing and Shanghai, losing 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 to qualifier Vasek Pospisil.

Goffin Eliminates Shelton

Eleventh seed Casper Ruud retired while trailing 6-3, 5-7, 1-4 against Belgian David Goffin, ending his run at the second round for the second consecutive year. Goffin achieved his best result at the Shanghai Rolex Masters by advancing to the third round, where he will face 19th seed Francisco Cerúndolo.

In today’s two men’s doubles matches involving Chinese players, the cross-strait duo Bu Yunchaokete and He Chengrui narrowly defeated Zverev and Melo 7-6(3), 4-6, 10-5. This marked Bu’s first doubles win at a Masters event; he had previously beaten Zverev and Melo in back-to-back first rounds at the China Open and Shanghai (partnering with Norrie in Beijing) and advanced to the second round in both singles and doubles at this tournament.

Bu Yunchaokete / He Chengrui Defeat Zverev / Melo

The Chinese pair Shang Juncheng and Zhang Zhizhen were defeated 3-6, 3-6 by the French duo Moutet and Miller. Meanwhile, Khachanov and Rublev, runners-up in doubles at the China Open, won their opening match 7-6(4), 2-6, 13-11 against Pavlásek and Lómbardi.

Zhang Zhizhen / Shang Juncheng

Khachanov / Rublev

In the only men’s singles first-round match postponed earlier, this year’s China Open finalist Lenar Chen battled three sets against Kecmanović, eventually coming from behind to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. He will face 33rd seed Moutet in the second round.

Lenar Chen

Other Match Results

[5] Fritz def. Malyshev 2-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(1)

[10] Rune def. Baez 7-5, 6-4

[19] Cerúndolo def. Mannarino 7-6(3), 7-6(4)

[20] Mahach def. Berrettini 6-3, 6-4

[21] Humbert def. Thompson 6-3, 7-6(4)

Munár def. Cobolli [22] 7-5, 6-1

[27] Griekspoor def. Brooksby 6-1, 1-6, 6-1

[31] Diallo def. Bonzi 6-4, 6-4

[32] Pericard def. Nardi 6-3, 7-6(4)

2025 Shanghai Rolex Masters Updated Draw

(Written, edited, and results by Wang Fei; photos courtesy of the tournament)