Novak Djoković defeated Marin Cilic 7–6, 6–4 in the first round of the Shanghai Masters on hard court. As the overwhelming pre-match favourite at 1.11 odds, Djoković delivered the expected result, though Cilic (8.0 outsider) mounted a competitive challenge in the opening set before capitulating in the second. The Serbian top seed's victory reinforces his status as the tournament's leading contender and extends his record against the Croatian veteran.