The German ended an eight-match losing streak against the 24-time Grand Slam champion, winning a gripping contest that lasted two hours and 35 minutes to book his place in the quarter-finals.
The defeat also dealt a significant blow to Djokovic’s hopes of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.
Djokovic takes the opening set
Both players started confidently on serve, making it difficult for either to establish an early advantage.
With neither player managing a break, the opening set was decided by a tie-break. Djokovic showed his experience to take it 7–4 and move within one set of victory.
Struff, however, remained aggressive and continued to put pressure on the Serbian with his powerful serving and attacking groundstrokes.
Struff fights back to level the match
The second set followed a similar pattern, with both players holding serve through the opening games.
Djokovic had opportunities to take control but could not convert his chances. At 6–5, Struff finally found the breakthrough, breaking the Serbian’s serve to win the set 7–5 and force a decider.
It was the only service break of the entire encounter.
German seals historic victory in final tie-break
The deciding set remained closely contested, with neither player able to create a decisive advantage.
Struff maintained his aggressive approach and eventually forced another tie-break. The German took control at the crucial moment, winning it 7–5 to complete an impressive comeback.
He finished the contest with 27 aces and 66 winners, using his powerful serve to keep Djokovic under constant pressure.
The victory was particularly significant for Struff, who had lost all eight of his previous meetings with the Serbian.
Djokovic's ATP Finals qualification hopes suffer setback
The defeat leaves Djokovic 11th in the ATP Race to Turin, outside the eight qualifying positions for the season-ending tournament.
The Serbian had hoped to collect valuable points in Basel to strengthen his chances of reaching the ATP Finals, where he is a seven-time champion.
Although ninth-placed Rafael Jodar also lost in Basel, Djokovic was unable to take advantage of the opportunity to close the gap.
With the Rolex Paris Masters remaining before the ATP Finals, the Serbian faces a difficult task in his bid to qualify for the tournament in Turin.
Struff advances to Basel quarter-finals
Struff's victory sends him into the quarter-finals, where he is scheduled to face Portugal's Nuno Borges.
For Djokovic, the early exit represents a disappointing end to his Basel campaign, while Struff can celebrate one of the most notable victories of his career.
Match details
• Tournament: Swiss Indoors Basel, ATP 500
• Round: Second round
• Result: Jan-Lennard Struff defeated Novak Djokovic 6–7(4), 7–5, 7–6(5)
• Duration: 2 hours, 35 minutes
• Date: Thursday, 29 October 2026
• Struff's statistics: 27 aces and 66 winners
• Next opponent: Nuno Borges