Xinhua/Bai Xuefei

Novak Djokovic vs Roman Safiullin: ATP Shanghai – Round of 16

Former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will take on Roman Safiullin in the round of 16 of the ATP Shanghai.

Novak Djokovic Profile

Novak Djokovic, is currently fourth in the rankings after spending most of the past decade as the world No. 1. The Serbian is 34-8 for the season and 12-4 on a hard surface for the season.

Djokovic is coming off a 3-1, 6-2 win over Flavio Cobolli after beating Alex Michelsen in two tie breaks.

Djokovic won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics and lost in the final of Wimbledon this season.

He has won the title in Shanghai four times, with the last one coming in 2018.

Roman Safiullin Profile

Roman Safiullin is 61st in the ATP rankings and his career high was No. 36. The Russian is 25-25 for the season and 18-13 on hard surface.

Safiullin is coming off 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 win over Frances Tiafoe in the third round after previously going past Alexander Bublik and Beibit Zhukayev.

Safiullin won the Challenger in Cary earlier in the season.

Last year in Shanghai, he lost to Ben Shelton in the round of 16.

Head-to-Head Djokovic leads 2-0

• Djokovic vs Safiullin 6-1, 6-2 (2024 ATP Monte Carlo, second round)
• Djokovic vs Safiullin 6-1, 7-6 (2022 ATP Tel Aviv, second round)

Prediction and Conclusion

Novak Djokovic is back in action for the first time since the US Open, and he seems to be on top of his game. His performance against Cobolli was close to perfect, as he got a 9.4 grade, one of the highest of any player this season. The Serbian will face Roman Safiullin for the second time this season after allowing him only three games in Monte Carlo. Given the surface, Djokovic may not be that dominant but will most likely cover the -4.5-game spread.