More rain washes away play in Shanghai

A rainy Monday threw the Shanghai Masters even further behind schedule, with only a handful of matches completed under the showcourt roof.

With the Chinese holiday week weather refusing to cooperate for a third consecutive day, the playing schedule lies in tatters at the ATP’s Asian showpiece which has been stretched to nearly two weeks of agonisingly long competition.

The former one-week Masters format has been discarded by tennis bosses amid the complaints from players, while ensuring a healthy cash grab for event organisers.

A trio of Americans won delayed matches into the their round, with world no. 7 Taylor Fritz advancing under the showcourt roof 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) in a match which began on Saturday against Terence Atmane. 

Compatriot Frances Tiafoe put out Chinese wild card Yi Zhou 6-2, 6-4 while 

Marcos Giron defeated Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-3,

Other winners indoors included Grigor Dimitrov over Belgian Zizou Bergs 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. David Goffin knocked out Wimbledon semi-finalist Lorenzo Musetti 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-2, and Tallon Griekspoor put out Australian Jordan Thompson 6-3, 6-2.