“The victory was satisfying, but the on-court challenge was significant,” Djokovic commented.
“It unfolded as a tight contest. In the initial set, he likely held the upper hand, maintaining consistent pressure.
“I believe effective serves helped me navigate difficult moments, a factor that brings me satisfaction.”
In the subsequent round, Djokovic is set to compete against Yannick Hanfmann, a German qualifier known for his powerful serves.
Ben Shelton, the sixth seed, appeared out of practice, resulting in a 6-2, 6-4 defeat against David Goffin from Belgium.
The 22-year-old American athlete, in recovery from a shoulder injury sustained at the US Open, struggled to establish a consistent pace during the opening set, conceding his serve in the third and seventh games.
Shelton showed resilience in the second set, but an unforced error during the ninth game gave Goffin the advantage, enabling the world number 83 to conclude the match.
As a result, Goffin will now face Gabriel Diallo from Canada, the 31st seed, in the third round.
Earlier in the week, Carlos Alcaraz, the world’s top-ranked player, withdrew from the Shanghai Open, citing “some physical problems” after his win at the Japan Open.
