The Shanghai Masters continues with second-round action, as the top 32 players begin their campaigns following a first-round bye. Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev were scheduled to play on Friday, with Djokovic competing for the first time since winning his 102nd career title in Beijing.
Djokovic's China Open campaign ended in unusual circumstances. His semi-final concluded in a default when Daniil Medvedev accidentally struck a spectator with a ball, and Alex de Minaur retired during Tuesday's final shortly after losing the first set, handing Djokovic the title.
De Minaur Receives Walkover
There were doubts over whether world No. 9 De Minaur would be fit for Shanghai, but he was given a lifeline when Alex Molcan withdrew hours before their match, sending the Australian into round three without playing. Molcan joins Jannik Sinner, Denis Shapovalov and last year's runner-up Arthur Rinderknech on the withdrawal list.
With several big names sidelined, Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to make his mark. The Spaniard has never advanced beyond the quarter-finals in Shanghai and has admitted it is “not his best” tournament. The world No. 3 feels fresher this year after nearly five months out with a wrist injury during the spring and summer.
Alcaraz's Confession
Alcaraz is back at the Shanghai Masters for the first time in two years, having missed the 2025 edition. He has played there just twice and never gone beyond the quarter-finals. His form in the later part of the season has often fallen below his usual high standards, and he has now confessed the tournament is not his “best.”
However, he is feeling much fresher mentally this year after his injury layoff from April to August. “I wouldn't say [fresher with] my body, because, you know, after being such a long time without competition, when I just start going back to the tour, playing matches, really demanding physically matches, it feels like the body is not used to it, and it might cause a little bit of minor problems. For us it's really normal to feel that,” he explained.
“But I'm feeling fresh mentally, which for me it's the most important thing. I'm ready to take the challenge of this tournament. If we see a couple years back, you know, probably this swing or this part of the season, it's never been my best one. So, right now I just want to be in a good state for this tournament, because I really want to win the tournaments, this one and the tournaments that I have in a couple months at least one day. So right now I think it's an extra boost that I have for the rest of the season.”
China Open Quarter-Finals
In Beijing, the WTA 1000 China Open continues with quarter-final day. Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff suffered shock early exits, and Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina are among those hoping to reach the last four.
