Shanghai Masters Roundup

The Rolex Shanghai Masters singles, held this year from September 30^th to October 13^th, were won by Italy’s Jannik Sinner, holder of not one, but two, Grand Slams this year: the Australian and US Open. This also marks his third ATP 1000 Masters title of 2024, making it a breakthrough season for twenty-three-year-old, who in the semi-finals secured his place as the ATP Year- End No.1, after holding the first place in the world rankings since June. 

While the Shanghai Masters were only established in 2009, and missed two years in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions, the tournament is already one of the most reputable in the ATP Master’s 1000 series, and attracts players and fans from across the globe. Held in the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena on outdoor hard courts, the Shanghai Masters is the only Masters level tournament held in China, and was established in a successful attempt to increase the popularity of tennis in Asia. Since its return post-Covid, the tournament has been held over a 12 day period, allowing for more players to compete. 

The semi-finals saw Sinner compete against Tomas Machac, winning 6-7, 4-5, a match made only more important by the stakes at hand; the ATP Year-End title, in which he made history as the first Italian to receive this title. Machac played an excellent game which followed his impressive run in the tournament, defeating 21 year old Carlos Alcaraz, holder of the other two grand slams of 2024; Wimbledon and the French Open.

Novak Djokovic played the US’s Taylor Fritz in the semis, winning 6-4, 7-6. Fritz is another player who has had a breakthrough season, becoming the first American in over 15 years to reach a Grand Slam final in the US Open final against Sinner. 

Sinner claimed his title against Djokovic, winning 7-6(4), 6-3 in the final round after a great performance in the second set. Djokovic is notably the player with the most titles from the tournament; winning four times, making this win for Sinner even more impressive. 

Britain’s Jack Draper was unable to participate in the Shanghai Masters, withdrawing due to an injury he sustained in the Japan Open where he halted play in his quarter final match against Ugo Humbert due to his injury. Draper has had excellent season, making 15^th in the ATP rankings, and reaching the US Open Semi Finals. Hopefully he will make a quick recovery to finish out the season.

In doubles, the Dutch-Croatian pair Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic won  6-4, 6-4 to Argentinians Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni, making it their fourth victory together this year.

With three players now qualified for the ATP Finals, we wait and see who else will qualify in the Race to Turin.