Wednesday (4) marked the start of the Shanghai Masters 1000, in China, one of the last tournaments that will define the eight classified for the ATP Finals. Bringing together the elite of the circuit, the tournament will feature 19 players from the top 20. The event will be broadcast on ESPN 2 and Star+ streaming platform. Discover the highlights and the complete program of the Shanghai Masters!
Shanghai Masters: the main names
During his first tournament in China, Carlos Alcaraz he had performed well at the Beijing ATP until he met one of his main opponents in the semi-finals, Jannik Sinner. In another battle, the Spaniard eventually succumbed in the second set, missing out on a place in the decider. In Shanghai, Alcaraz is in search of a new title and remains in contention to finish 2023 at the top of the rankings.
The Russian Daniel Medvedev hit the post in Beijing: lost the decision to Sinner in two tie-breaks. He arrives at the Chinese Masters with the bitter taste of accumulating two consecutive vice-champions on his favorite surface – he also lost to Novak Djokovic at the US Open. Champion of Shanghai in 2019, the world number 3 is seeking his fifth fast court title this season.
Below the duo, the most fashionable name on the circuit could not be another: the Italian Jannik sinner. Possessing an aggressive style, he was surgical in the most important moments in the semi-final against Alcaraz and in the final against Medvedev. The Italian is having the best year of his career and is trying to win his second Masters 1000 title – he was Toronto champion, also on hard court.
In addition to the trio, I watch the return of the German Alexander Zverev, semi-finalist in Beijing and champion in Chengdu last week. We will have the return of North American drawers Taylor Fritz It is Ben Sheltonwho was rested after Team Mundo’s Laver Cup title. Karen Khachanovchampion of Zhuhai, and the Pole Hubert Hurkacz.
Follow the Shanghai Masters LIVE on Star+
Absences
World number 1, Novak Djokovic This is the main absence of Shanghai. The Serbian, who played in the Davis Cup two weeks ago, has decided not to travel to Asia this year. He should only return to the circuit at the Masters 1000 in Paris. In addition to him, the Spaniards will be absent Roberto Bautista Agutthe Italian Matteo Berrettini and the Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
Shanghai Masters Draw
In the group, Alcaraz became the draw champion. In the first quadrant, he made his debut against the Portuguese Nuno Borges or French Grégoire Barrère. English Dan Evans is the main candidate for a third-round duel. The Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov and Khachanov are potential opponents in the round of 16. Fritz or his compatriot Frances Tiafoe you can find it on Wednesday. Oscillators, Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas or Russian Andrei Rublev would come to the semi-final.
On the other hand, Medvedev recovered a very unrewarding key. The Russian makes his debut against the Chilean Cristian Garin and then you can see your tormentor again at the Australian Open, the North American Open Sébastien Korda. The Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime and the Argentinian Fran Cerundolo are possible opponents in the round of 16. Ahead, the situation becomes complicated: Sinner or Zverev would be opponents in the quarter-finals. Danish Holger Runethe Norwegian Casper Ruud or Hurckacz could appear in the semi-final.
Check out the full tournament bracket here.
Brazilians
In Shanghai, we will have a 100% Brazilian duo: Minas Gerais Marcelo Melo with the gaucho Rafael Matos. The partnership will have a difficult start against the British James Murray and New Zealand Michael Venus, champions in Zhuhai last week. This will be Matos’ first tournament without the Portuguese player Francisco Cabralwith whom he ended the partnership after five months.
Shanghai Masters: schedule and how to watch
The Shanghai Masters will be broadcast daily on the ESPN 2 channel and the Star+ streaming platform, starting at 7:30 a.m. Brasilia time. The tournament takes place from October 4 to 15.
View the full agenda:
- 04/10, Wednesday – First round
- 10/05, Thursday – First round
- 10/06, Friday – Second round
- 10/07, Saturday – Second round
- 10/08, Sunday – Third round
- 10/09, Monday – Third round
- 10/10, Tuesday – round of 16
- 10/11, Wednesday – round of 16
- 10/12, Thursday – Quarter-finals
- 10/13, Friday – Quarter-finals
- 14/10, Saturday – Semi-finals
- 15/10, Sunday – Final
“Prone to fits of apathy. Beer evangelist. Incurable coffeeaholic. Internet expert.”
