Struff ends Djokovic Basel run as Shelton falls to wild card

Novak Djokovic will finish his 2026 season with 102 career titles, one short of Roger Federer's all-time record of 103.

The 39-year-old world number one lost Thursday to Jan-Lennard Struff at the Swiss Indoors in Basel. Struff, ranked 47th, defeated Djokovic 6-7 (4), 7-5, 7-6 (5). The German clinched the match with his third match point, firing his 27th ace down the middle. Djokovic had saved the previous match point with an ace of his own. This loss prevents Djokovic from tying Federer's total at the tournament where the Swiss icon grew up and won the title a record 10 times.

Djokovic last played in Basel in 2009, when he defeated Federer in the final. He captured his 102nd title earlier this month in Beijing. Only Jimmy Connors, with 109 career titles, has won more tournaments than Federer.

Ben Shelton also exited the event early. The top seed lost to 23-year-old Jerome Kym, a Swiss wild card ranked 222nd. Kym won the match 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (1) in a night session. The victory marks the third loss this season for Shelton to an opponent ranked in the triple digits.

Shelton, ranked fourth in the world, saved two match points during the contest. He trailed by two breaks at 5-2 in the final set after midnight. Kym secured the win with a backhand passing shot played at full stretch while running toward the net. The young Swiss player next faces Jiri Lehecka on Friday. Lehecka, the eighth seed, defeated Daniel Altmaier 7-5, 6-4.

Arthur Fils advanced to the quarterfinals after dropping the first set in a tight match against Alex Michelsen. The second seed won 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Fils will face Taylor Fritz, the sixth seed. Fritz defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-3 to secure his spot in the next round.

The Swiss Indoors continues with quarterfinal matches scheduled for Friday. The tournament takes place in Basel, the hometown of Roger Federer.