Novak Djokovic opens up Shanghai Masters fifth title bid with straight sets success over Marin Cilic

With the humidity on display at the Shanghai Masters over the past few days, Novak Djokovic would've been forgiven for struggling and many were mooting he would but he found the key and he found the secret to see off Marin CIlic.

He overcame his veteran adversary 7-6(2), 6-4 to kick off his bid for a record extending fifth title in the tournament. He sprinkled sawdust on his hands in a bit of an old school tactic used before by Ivan Lendl and such. He struggled to maintain his grip so it proved a bit of a masterstroke devised by his team to try and get over the humid conditions.

Cilic had him under real pressure early on with the Croat blasting 20 winners alone in the first set. Although he appeared to get injured in the second set, he seemed to tweak his back and Djokovic took full advantage to win in just under two hours.

Djokovic is into the third round for the 11th consecutive time at the Shanghai Masters and if he manages success over the coming days, it would be a record extending fifth crown.

Djokovic was a potential no show for the rest of the season after the US Open with the 24-time Grand Slam champion struggling with fitness worries that haunted him throughout the tournament. But there was none of that on display here as he seemed to be more concerned about getting through what was rank at best a tricky assignment.

Albeit one that he has supreme experience in, he is 20-2 against Cilic and showcased his ability to raise his level when it was needed. He could yet face Jannik Sinner if they both make the final. He now faces Yannick Hanfmann who won through from qualifying to upsetting 25th seed Frances Tiafoe.

That will be bring the age down on court with Djokovic v CIlic being the oldest main-draw meeting in a Masters 1000 since 1990. Both have supreme staying power especially Cilic who has consistently got injured in the last few years but keeps coming back with one final flourish.