Shanghai Masters: Sinner Overcomes Challenges to Reach Next Round

Jannik Sinner cruises past Altmaier in Shanghai Masters

Jannik Sinner's Shanghai Masters title defense gets off to a strong start, despite the absence of Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian star shows his skill and composure, beating Altmaier and setting up a match against Tallon Griekspoor in the next round.

“It's very tough... I had not a lot of time to adjust here, it's very different conditions (to Beijing)...”

World number two Jannik Sinner kicked off his Shanghai Masters title defense with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 win over Germany's Daniel Altmaier. This victory marked Sinner's sixth consecutive match win, following his recent China Open title. Sinner dominated the match, breaking early in both sets to take control and easing into the third round.

The win was particularly sweet for Sinner, as he avenged his loss to Altmaier at the French Open two years ago. In their last meeting, Sinner had squandered two match points, losing in a five-set battle. This time around, Sinner was in control throughout the match, converting three out of four break points to secure the win.

The 24-year-old Wimbledon champion, Jannik Sinner, faced a potential threat from 49th-ranked Altmaier, who had a couple of opportunities to break in the eighth game of the first set. However, Altmaier couldn't convert his breakpoints, and the Italian held serve with an ace, keeping his momentum intact.

The second set offered little respite for Altmaier, as Sinner's form proved too strong. Despite the convincing scoreline, Sinner acknowledged that the match hadn't been easy. With this win, Sinner advances to the next round, showcasing his skill and composure on the court.

“It's very tough... I had not a lot of time to adjust here, it's very different conditions (to Beijing),” said Jannik Sinner after his win. Despite the challenges, Sinner's recent form and the absence of his rival Carlos Alcaraz, who withdrew to rest, have made his path to retaining the title somewhat easier. Sinner's focus now shifts to his next match against Tallon Griekspoor.

Champion’s start ✨@janniksin kickstarts his title defense with a 6-3 6-3 defeat of Altmaier.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/Mw0b1wfLES

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 4, 2025

Next Challenge for Sinner

Sinner's next opponent will be Tallon Griekspoor, whom he leads 6-0 in their head-to-head matches. With his recent form and dominance over Griekspoor, Sinner looks set to progress further in the tournament. The Italian's priority now is to maintain his physical readiness, especially given the humid conditions in Shanghai.

Sinner will face Tallon Griekspoor on Sunday, while four-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic will take on Germany's Yannick Hanfmann. Both players are looking to make a strong impression in the tournament, with Sinner seeking to defend his title and Djokovic aiming to add another championship to his impressive collection. The matches promise to be exciting, with both players showcasing their exceptional skills.

Shanghai Masters Updates

World number three Alexander Zverev battled through a foot problem to secure a spot in the third round, defeating Valentin Royer 6-4, 6-4. Meanwhile, world number seven Alex de Minaur cruised past Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-4, 6-2. Daniil Medvedev dominated Dalibor Svrcina 6-1, 6-1, advancing to the next round with ease. In an upset, Andrey Rublev fell to qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.