Shanghai Masters draw: Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in same half, Novak Djokovic could face rising American star
Jannik Sinner faces a daunting path if he hopes to capture the Shanghai Masters title, with potential matchups against Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, and Carlos Alcaraz looming before even reaching the final. As the world No. 1, Sinner’s tournament will begin against either Taro Daniel or a qualifier, but things heat up quickly with a…
Jannik Sinner faces a daunting path if he hopes to capture the Shanghai Masters title, with potential matchups against Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, and Carlos Alcaraz looming before even reaching the final.
As the world No. 1, Sinner’s tournament will begin against either Taro Daniel or a qualifier, but things heat up quickly with a projected fourth-round clash against 14th seed Shelton. The American, however, has his own hurdles, needing to navigate past Lorenzo Sonego and Arthur Fils to meet Sinner in the last 16.
Should Sinner advance, he could meet fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals. Medvedev, however, has to contend with possible challenges from 10th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or 18th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in his section. Tsitsipas, on a rough streak, has struggled, winning just two matches since the start of the North American hard-court swing, with his latest defeat coming in the first round of the Japan Open.
A Sinner-Alcaraz semifinal is the dream matchup many are hoping for. Alcaraz, seeded third, appears to have an easier road, starting his campaign against either rising Chinese star Shang Juncheng or wildcard Coleman Wong. He could face Nicolas Jarry, who upset Alcaraz earlier this year, in the third round, and potentially eighth seed Casper Ruud or 11th seed Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals before meeting Sinner.
Meanwhile, world No. 2 Alexander Zverev, returning after an illness forced him to skip the China Open, heads the bottom half of the draw. His potential fourth-round opponent is Lorenzo Musetti, with a possible quarterfinal against seventh seed Taylor Fritz. Fritz’s path isn’t easy, as he might have to get past 12th seed Holger Rune or 17th seed Jack Draper in the last 16.
Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is another big name in the bottom half. He will face either Alex Michelsen or Buyunchaokete Bu in his opening match. Michelsen, who recently broke into the top 50, could provide a stiff challenge. Djokovic is projected to meet 28th seed Flavio Cobolli in the third round, 14th seed Frances Tiafoe in the fourth, and sixth seed Andrey Rublev in the quarters.
With such a tricky draw, Sinner will need to be at his best if he hopes to secure his Shanghai Masters crown.
