Shanghai: The final stretch of the ATP season heats up as the 2025 Shanghai Masters kicks off, featuring a packed draw of 96 players despite the withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz. While the Spaniard recovers from an ankle injury sustained in Tokyo, the spotlight shifts firmly to defending champion Jannik Sinner and four-time winner Novak Djokovic.
Sinner Aims to Close the Gap on Alcaraz
The absence of Alcaraz removes the possibility of another blockbuster final between the ATP’s young rivals, but the year-end No. 1 race remains alive. Sinner trails the Spaniard by 2,540 points, and Shanghai presents a chance to slice that margin by as much as 1,000.
For Sinner, the challenge is as much about matching himself as it is chasing Alcaraz. Having won this title in 2024, the Italian must defend all those points to avoid slipping in the rankings.
Encouragingly, Sinner enters in peak form: he is healthy, fresh off a Beijing title run, and motivated after serving a three-month suspension earlier this year. His path to another Shanghai crown won’t be straightforward—potential opponents include Alexander Bublik in the fourth round, Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals, and possibly Djokovic in the semifinals.
The 23-year-old has also hinted at incorporating new dimensions into his game, making this tournament a testing ground for his evolution.
Djokovic Returns for Another Shanghai Charge
At 38, Novak Djokovic continues to stretch the boundaries of longevity at the top of men’s tennis. A four-time champion and last year’s runner-up in Shanghai, the Serbian enters as a dangerous contender once again.
Djokovic opens his campaign against Marin Cilic, with a possible second-round clash against Frances Tiafoe looming. Given his pedigree in Shanghai and recent competitive sharpness, the world will watch closely to see if Djokovic can add a fifth title to his name.
Race to Turin: Who Else Can Make a Statement?
With the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin just weeks away, Shanghai offers a critical stage for players on the bubble. The current Top 8—Alcaraz, Sinner, Zverev, Djokovic, Fritz, Shelton, De Minaur, and Musetti—look secure, but big results here could shuffle the pack.
Chasing from behind are Felix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, Alexander Bublik, and Holger Rune. Each has an opportunity to disrupt the established order with a deep run.
Notable names to watch:
- Learner Tien: Fresh off a Beijing final, he lands in the section Alcaraz vacated.
- Daniil Medvedev: 2019 Shanghai champion, still searching for consistency after cramping in Beijing.
- Felix Auger-Aliassime: Hoping to build on his US Open semifinal breakthrough, he starts against Alejandro Tabilo.
- Ben Shelton: Shoulder concerns linger, but he insists he’s fit ahead of his opener against David Goffin.
- Casper Ruud: A semifinalist in Beijing, fighting to stay in the Turin conversation.
Must-Watch Third-Round Clashes
The Shanghai draw promises intrigue from the early rounds. Possible third-round encounters include:
- Andrey Rublev vs. Flavio Cobolli – Rublev chasing slim Turin hopes
- Alexander Zverev vs. Alex Michelsen – A test of the American’s momentum after Laver Cup debut
- Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Jakub Mensik – A battle between youth and resurgence
- Casper Ruud vs. Francisco Cerundolo – A rematch of their Madrid semifinal
- Taylor Fritz vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard – A Wimbledon five-setter revisited
- Novak Djokovic vs. Frances Tiafoe – A clash of styles and generations
What Lies Ahead
Even without Alcaraz, the 2025 Shanghai Masters remains a tournament rich with narratives: Sinner’s title defense, Djokovic’s pursuit of history, and the jostling for Turin berths. Over the next 10 days, Shanghai will likely shape both the year-end rankings and the storylines heading into the season’s finale in Europe.