Shanghai Classic Delights Fans: Djokovic Beats Cilic in Veterans' Duel

An uncertain, and even quality match, given the circumstances (year) was played in front of an enthusiastic Chinese audience - Novak celebrated with 7:6, 6:4 and defeated Marin Čilić for the 20th time in his career

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Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Although one is 38 and the other is 37, the Shanghai crowd couldn't have wished for a better match at the start of the Chinese Masters.

Novak Djokovic defeated Marin Cilic 7:6 (2), 6:4 after almost two hours of play in a clash between veterans and Grand Slam champions.

Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, defeated Cilic, who has won one US Open, for the 20th time in his career. The Croat has two victories in their head-to-head matches.

Marin ilić
photo: Reuters

An uncertain, and even quality match, considering the circumstances (the year), was played in front of an enthusiastic Chinese audience, who screamed at every good move, and there were some - especially on Djokovic's side.

Novak struggled at the end of the first set, when he saved two break points, and then he was ruthless in the tie-break - he tied six points and won that part of the game 7:2.

Djokovic made the only break of the match in the third game of the second set and held it with a great serve until the end. He only had problems in the last game, when he saved two break points, then ended the match with a tenth ace.

In the second round, he will face German Janik Hafman.

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