Shanghai Masters: Sinner, Alcatraz Win Opening Matches

Italy’s world number one Jannik Sinner and Spanish rival Carlos Alcaraz both enjoyed comfortable victories in their opening matches at the Shanghai Masters – just three days after contesting a dramatic China Open final.

Sinner, 23, bounced back from losing to Alcaraz in Beijing, cruising to a 6-1 6-4 victory over Japan’s Taro Daniel at the ATP 1,000 event.

The top seed took just one hour and 17 minutes to book his place in the third round and followed a similarly destructive display from third seed Alcaraz, who was on court a minute less in his 6-2 6-2 win over China’s Shang Juncheng.

It was the 21-year-old’s 10th consecutive victory, with his China Open title following wins for Team Europe at the Laver Cup in September.

“I’ve been playing really good tennis lately and I’m just trying to keep that up,” said four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who has won four titles on the ATP Tour this year.

He will next play China’s world number 560 Yibing Wu, while Sinner will face 37th-ranked Martin Etcheverry in the third round following the Argentine’s 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 7-5 win over the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp. At three hours and 43 minutes, it was the longest match in the tournament’s history.

Elsewhere, Russian sixth seed Andrey Rublev fell to a 6-7 (7-9) 6-4 6-3 defeat by Czech Republic’s Jakub Mensik.

Novak Djokovic will be in action later on Saturday, against 20-year-old American Alex Michelsen, as the four-time Shanghai Masters winner aims for his 100th tour-level title.