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• Djokovic relieved to pass Michelsen test in Shanghai

  Novak Djokovic was relieved to edge past Alex Michelsen at the Shanghai Masters as his quest for a 100th career title got up and running. 

  Djokovic, who has won the tournament in China on four occasions, needed almost two hours to overcome his American opponent on Saturday, eventually doing so 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (11-9).

  The Serbian's slow start was punished by Michelsen, who raced into a 4-1 lead in the opening set, with Djokovic managing just three points from the first three games. 

  But the 24-time grand slam champion rallied to take the first set to win his 11th tie-break from the 15 he has played this season.

  "It was the first match against Alex and I also hadn't played in a while, so it took me a little time to get the rust off," said Djokovic after his first match sine the US Open.

  “He started off terrifically; big serves and an aggressive style of tennis, he's not afraid to step it up and take it to his opponent."

  Djokovic then led 4-1 in the second, only to allow Michelsen back into the contest, but the Serbian held his nerve in the decisive tie-break, saving two set points to advance. 

  The 37-year-old has now won 35 of the 40 matches he has contested at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai - more than any other player.

  Djokovic is also the only player in history (since 1990) to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles, a feat he has achieved twice on his way to a record 40 titles at this level.

  He is yet to reach a final in the series this year, with the Serbian acknowledging the difficulties he faced against his American opponent. 

  "I was 4-1 up, 15/40, and he hit the net-cord that went over. It could easily have been 6-1 for me in the second,” Djokovic said.

  "But at this level, things can change very quickly.

  "It was a very close encounter and I thought a high level of tennis in both sets. I'm just glad to keep calm when it mattered in the second-set tie-break.

  "I'm glad to really be challenged by a young player, and I'm looking forward to the next one."

  Up next for Djokovic is either Italian Flavio Cobolli or wildcard Stan Wawrinka.

• Tiffany Langley eager to make the most of Fast5 opportunity on Sunshine Girls debut

  Tiffany Langley’s netball journey has been marked by years of dedication, disappointment, and unwavering perseverance.

  So, as she prepares to represent Jamaica for the first time as part of the Sunshine Girls squad to the Fast5 Netball World Series in New Zealand, Langley views her inclusion as a hard-earned opportunity for redemption and a stepping stone toward becoming a staple in the senior setup.

  Langley’s selection for the November 9-10 tournament comes as a welcome reward after years of near misses at the youth level. She has been on the fringes of the national programme since her early teens, as she trained diligently with both the Under-16 and Under-21 teams.

  Yet, despite her efforts, she narrowly missed out on making the final cut for international tournaments—experiences that could have easily derailed a young athlete’s confidence. But for Langley, those setbacks only fueled her desire to push harder and prove herself worthy.

  “This opportunity means everything to me. It’s something I’ve been working towards for years, and I guess I can say my hard work has now paid off because being a part of a national team to represent my country is a dream come true,” Langley shared.

  “Missing out on the Under-16 and Under-21 squads at that point was tough, but I never gave up. So for this opportunity to come at this point in my career, it gives me the confidence that I was lacking before to keep pushing forward, and now I’m excited to see what the future holds for me,” she told SportsMax.Tv.

  

  For Langley, her selection to the Sunshine Girls’ Fast5 squad—a variation of netball known for its fast-paced style and tactical intensity—marks a turning point in her career.

  Though Fast5 is different from the traditional 7-a-side format, the 24-year-old believes the condensed format suits her skill set and will allow her to showcase her versatility on the court.

  “It’s a different game in many ways, but it’s also an opportunity to test yourself under pressure. I’ve been working hard on my speed, agility, and decision-making, and I’m mentally and physically ready to give it my all,” Langley shared.

  “Mentally, I reassured myself that I’m good enough to be a part of this team and capable enough to get the job done. Physically, I am working extremely hard to better my skills in training to ensure that I deliver when I am called upon,” she added.

  Langley, who started her netball journey at Gaynstead High School before transitioning to GC Foster College, believes her story is one of perseverance and resilience, as she is of the view that many athletes, when faced with repeated setbacks, might have opted to hang up their boots. However, the bubbly player’s love for the sport and her dream of representing Jamaica at the highest level kept her motivated.

  Now with the opportunity there for the taking, Langley’s goal is to make a strong impression during the Fast5 tournament to show selectors that she can be a valuable asset for the team in both short and long formats of the game.

  

  If she can deliver on her promise, she hopes this will be the first of many senior appearances.

  “I’m not just happy to be here; I’m determined to make an impact. This isn’t just about making my debut; it’s about establishing myself as a player for the future. I want to be a part of the senior team for years to come, so this is just the beginning. I want to use this chance to learn, grow, and cement my place in the squad,” Langley asserted.

  While they might find the going tough in New Zealand, Langley, a wing-attack, who is set to play centre at the tournament, is confident that the Dalton Hinds and Nardia Hanson-coached team has enough talent to cause some problems.

  “I rate our chances highly. I love the work everyone is putting in at training; I love the camaraderie among us, and I’m so excited to see what this competition has to offer, as I am sure we all want to keep improving to be consistent in making more Sunshine Girls teams,” Langley ended.

• Djokovic recovers from slow start to move past Michelsen on Shanghai return

  Novak Djokovic marked his Shanghai Masters return with a hard-fought straight-sets win over Alex Michelsen.

  The four-time champion, who is appearing in this event for the first time since 2019, required two tie-breaks before prevailing 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (11-9) in just under two hours.

  Djokovic, still donning a protective sleeve over his right knee, made a slow start in only his second match since losing to Alexei Popyrin in the US Open third round, winning just four points in the first three games as he fell 4-1 behind.

  However, the 24-time major winner broke back in the seventh game before dominating the tie-break for first blood.

  Roles were reversed in the second set as Michelsen cancelled out an earlier break in game seven.

  However, the American squandered two set points to level and was eventually punished by Djokovic, who will play either 28th seed Flavio Cobolli or three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka in the next round.

  Data Debrief: Djokovic continues American dominance

  Djokovic was given an early scare, but his experience eventually showed as he came through.

  Including team events, the Serb has now won his last 33 ATP-level matches against American opponents, with his last such defeat coming against Sam Querrey at Wimbledon in 2016. 

  The 24-time major winner also demonstrated his determination when the pressure intensified, and he has now come through 12 of his 16 tie-breaks played this season.