Novak Djokovic overcame pain in his left ankle, the Shanghai humidity and the challenge of Jaume Munar to reach the quarter-finals at the Shanghai Masters for the 11th time.
The Serbian received multiple medical timeouts for a leg issue during the two hours and 40 minutes clash and frequently placed an ice towel over his head during changeovers, with humidity levels exceeding 82 percent on Tuesday.
Djokovic threw up courtside on several occasions and collapsed to the floor after losing the second set before he received medical support.
However, despite the challenging conditions, the 38-year-old dug deep to grind down Munar 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in one of the most physical matches of the season.
Djokovic has reached the quarter-finals in all 11 of his Shanghai appearances, lifting the trophy a record four times. The world No. 5 is the highest-ranked left player in the draw and he will next meet Belgian Zizou Bergs.
Also on Tuesday, Holger Rune moved a step closer to his first ATP Masters 1000 title in almost three years, after he overcame Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-3.
