Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic will continue their notable rivalry in the second round of the Shanghai Masters. Two great friends will meet for the 22nd time, the first in three years.
Novak leads their H2H 19-2, losing back-to-back matches in 2016 and 2018 and dominating before and after. Djokovic and Cilic started their rivalry17 and a half years ago in Dubai.
Almost two decades later, they will embrace one of the oldest Masters 1000 matches following Marin's first-round win over Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Djokovic and Cilic were the rising stars when they first locked rackets in Dubai in February 2008. The Serb just claimed his first Major title at the Australian Open, while the Croat also made progress throughthe ATP ranking list.
They battled in the first round, and Novak scored a 6-4, 6-3 victory in an hour and 18 minutes on Centre Court. Djokovic served well on the fast hard court and lost 13 points in nine service games.
ADVERTISEMENT
He never faced a break point, mounting the pressure on the younger opponent. Marin struggled to find his first serve, landing in only 44% and failing to follow the rival's pace.
The Croat played against five break points and suffered three breaks to push the Australian Open champion through. World no. 3 moved in front with a break in the fifth game of the opening set.
Novak served well in the remaining games and claimed the opener 6-4 for a boost. The Serb pushed even harder in the second set, taming his strokes nicely and pressuring his opponent.
Djokovic provided an early break for a 2-1 lead and delivered three strong holds for a 5-3 lead. Cilic served to stay in the match in game nine and experienced another break to propel the better-ranked rival into the second round.
