Sinner Beats Altmaier in Shanghai and Seeks Title After Beijing

Sinner Successfully Begins Title Defense in Shanghai

Shanghai – Jannik Sinner, the world number two, started his title defense at the Shanghai Masters on the right foot. The Italian tennis player defeated Daniel Altmaier with a score of 6-3, 6-3, in a match played this Saturday. This victory represents Sinner’s revenge, who had lost to Altmaier two years ago at the French Open. Furthermore, it extends his winning streak to six matches, following his triumph at the China Open in Beijing last Wednesday.

I knew today’s match was going to be very difficult. I didn’t have much time to adapt here. But that makes it even more special.

Jannik Sinner

Sinner had not faced Altmaier since the German defeated him in five sets in the second round of Roland Garros in 2023, where Sinner wasted two match points. In the next round, Sinner will face Tallon Griekspoor, whom he dominates with a 6-0 head-to-head record. When asked about Beijing’s adaptation to Shanghai, Sinner commented:

Everything is different. There’s a lot more humidity, and it can feel more physical here. I tried to rest, but it’s difficult after winning a title. You have to have a great balance in practice. Obviously, now the priority is to feel as good as possible physically for the next match.

Jannik Sinner

In other notable results, Alex de Minaur, seventh seed, advanced after defeating Camilo Ugo Carabelli with a score of 6-4, 6-2. De Minaur had been defeated by Sinner in the Beijing semifinals.

Other results from the first matches:

• Daniil Medvedev defeated Dalibor Svrcina (6-1, 6-1)
• Yoshihito Nishioka defeated thirteenth seed Andrey Rublev (2-6, 6-1, 6-4)
• Felix Auger-Aliassime, twelfth seed, overcame Alejandro Tabilo (6-3, 6-3)
• Kamil Majchrzak defeated Brandon Nakashima, the 29th-seeded American (6-4, 6-0)

The seeded players received byes in the first round. Carlos Alcaraz, the world number one, withdrew from Shanghai due to a left ankle injury.