Headliners don’t disappoint with Shanghai success

Jannik Sinner won the 250th match of his career while rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic joined in as all three opened the Shanghai Masters on Saturday with wins into the second round.

The world No. 1 Italian, who lost to Spain’s Alcaraz just 72 hours earlier in the overlooked mid-week Beijing final, started his campaign in China’s commercial capital over Japan’s Taro Daniel 6-1, 6-4.

“I felt quite comfortable today,” the winner said. “I feel in good shape also physically, which is very important for me. 

“Of course I will try to improve for tomorrow’s performance, but today I was serving really, really well, especially in important moments, and was moving well.”

Sinner is the first player this season to his 60 match wins, opening a lead of three on Alexander Zverev’s 57.

The Italian stands a perfect 14-0 in opening-round matches in 2024 and has made it to the quarter-finals in all 13 tournaments he’s played this season.

Alcaraz stretched her current win streak to 10 on the trot as he defeated China’s Shang Juncheng 6-2, 6-2.

“I’m not used to playing against players younger than me,” the 21-year-old Spaniard said of his opponent, 19.

“He’s been playing good tennis lately; I’m pretty sure he’s going to climb the rankings. I’m just happy to be able to win these kinds of matches.”

Alcaraz moved into another Chinese clash as he takes on Wu Yibing in the second round.

Fourth seed Djokovic, who has seriously cut down his playing schedule as move into the twilight of his career, bristled after receiving a time warning during his 7-6 (3), 7-6 (9) defeat of American Alex Michelsen.

The 37-year-old Serb protested to the chair umpire after receiving the mild sanction early in the second set, but didn’t let the incident disrupt his winning concentration.

Main photo:-Novak Djokovic winning in Shanghai over Alex Michelsen by ATPTour.com