Djokovic 'hangs by rope' before battling into Shanghai last 16 | Sports

SHANGHAI, Oct 5, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Novak Djokovic said he had been "hanging by a rope" before battling through to the Shanghai Masters last 16 with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over qualifier Yannick Hanfmann on Sunday. The 38-year-old Serb is looking to win a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai but was given a mighty scare by the 150th-ranked German. Djokovic fired two aces to start, delighting the crowd, but soon ran into trouble as Hanfmann found his range. The German broke in the third game and held serve after that to clinch the first set. "I was just outplayed by a better player for a set and a half -- I was hanging by a rope to stay in...