Shanghai Masters has really been testing Novak Djokovic. In seeking his first hard-court title since 2023, the 24x Grand Slam champion has been pushed to three sets twice in his three matches. The heat and humidity even faltered his round 3, forcing medical attention. But he’s made it past, and exceptionally so. 

After defeating Jaume Munar 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 on Tuesday, Djokovic became the oldest player to reach the last eight at an ATP Masters 1000 event (Roger Federer was four months younger when he made it so far in 2019). Now he’s en route to extending his record for most titles (40), finals (60), and semi-finals (79). If he succeeds, he’s got a solid training partner to thank.

“We trained several times. I hope I’ve been a good training partner,”Aryna Sabalenka shared after her triumphant return to the court in Wuhan. “So far, he’s winning in Shanghai. So I think it was good practice. I really hope he goes all the way. If he wins the tournament, I could say it’s thanks to me!” Turns out, Sabalenka’s vacation in Greece after winning the US Open wasn’t just a vacation. 

About a week ago, the Belarusian had shared a snap with her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, alongside Novak Djokovic and his wife, Jelena, who had recently moved to Athens. The “dream double date” she called it. But it wasn’t just ‘dinner & done’.

Sabalenka‘s long days on the boat in the Greek Islands were coupled with rigorous practice sessions at the private Tatoi Club. The duo was grinding for their post-US Open tournaments. And so far, so good. 

While Djokovic eyes a comeback after the semi-final loss in New York to Carlos Alcaraz, Sabalenka is chasing her fourth consecutive title at the event. In the round of 32 at Wuhan Open, she rallied from a set down to overcome Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to maintain a flawless 18-0 record, a streak only matched by Caroline Wozniacki’s run in New Haven. A little credit for that goes to the Serbian. 

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“He’s always open to give me advice,” Sabalenka revealed in Wuhan. Four months ago at Wimbledon, she had admitted that Djokovic had advised her on her return, managing energy and mentally preparing/approaching the finals. While the 27-year-old did not have much success in the Grand Slam, she revealed, “It’s really helped me a lot several times.”

The duo’s dynamic ranges from Djokovic mimicking Sabalenka’s iconic post-match stair dance and target challenges at practice (Wimbledon) to sharing high praise. Laughter could very easily replace a playful advice to the Belarusian: “You’re lacking intensity on the court.” So we wouldn’t be surprised if the 38-year-old indeed agrees to credit Sabalenka for the success. 

Aryna Sabalenka reflects on her victory over Rebecca Sramkova

Aryna Sabalenka returned to familiar territory in Wuhan with the rhythm that had crowned her US Open champion just weeks ago. After a brief pause following her win over Amanda Anisimova in New York, the Belarusian sought to reignite her form ahead of the WTA Finals. Yet, her return to the court did not unfold as seamlessly as expected. World No. 66 Rebecca Sramkova came out blazing, breaking Sabalenka in the opening game and launching a fearless barrage of winners that caught the top seed off guard.

Sramkova struck 15 clean winners and fired five aces, taking charge with unrelenting precision. Sabalenka, meanwhile, labored to find her footing, managing just three winners from the baseline. The rhythm, the flow, the fire, all seemed absent early on. But champions rarely stay quiet for long. Down 15-40 midway through the second, Sabalenka summoned her trademark ferocity, hammering two clutch winners to steal a break and shift the tide.

From there, the match flipped on its head. She began dictating exchanges, her heavy groundstrokes breaking down Sramkova’s resistance. Across the final two sets, Sabalenka unloaded 24 winners: 20 off her ground game, as her confidence returned with every thundering strike.

The World No. 1’s mettle was tested again, twice, under pressure. At 4-2 in the second and 4-1 in the third, she faced eight break points, and saved them all. 

“I have to say she played incredible tennis, especially in the first set,” Sabalenka said in her on-court interview. “Not much I could do. I knew that after that little break [since the US Open] it would not be easy to get back in my rhythm, but I’m really glad that in the second set I found my game, I stepped in and I think I played really great.”

Now, with her rhythm restored, Sabalenka turns her focus to a familiar foe: Liudmila Samsonova. The Belarusian leads their H2H 3-2, having defeated her in straight sets at both Cincinnati 2024 and Indian Wells 2025. But in the relentless heat of China, can Sabalenka reign supreme yet again?