In an unexpected turn of events at the Shanghai Masters, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard delivered a stunning performance, defeating the fourth-ranked Taylor Fritz in straight sets. The Frenchman claimed victory with a scoreline of 6-4, 7-5, marking a significant milestone as it was his first win against the American player on the ATP Tour.
Mpetshi Perricard showcased his powerful serving throughout the match, firing off 12 aces compared to Fritz’s nine. He managed to break Fritz’s serve in each set, demonstrating a blend of composure and skill that sent him through to the fourth round, where he is set to face the 10th seed, Holger Rune.
The day also saw the defending champion, Jannik Sinner, forced to retire from his match against Tallon Griekspoor due to severe leg cramps. After taking the first set, Sinner was trailing 6-7 (3), 7-5, 3-2 when he could no longer continue amidst high humidity. Sinner was visibly struggling, massaging his right thigh as he made the decision to leave the court, prompting a sympathetic response from Griekspoor, who expressed disappointment over how the match concluded.
In a battle of endurance, Novak Djokovic had to dig deep to overcome German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, securing a tough 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win. The Serbian star faced considerable challenges against Hanfmann’s formidable serve and aggressive net play. Additionally, Djokovic dealt with illness during the match, which culminated in him being physically unwell during the second set.
“We’re all dealing with these extreme conditions, but it’s brutal out there, especially with high humidity every day,” Djokovic remarked after the match. He is on the hunt for his record-extending fifth Shanghai Masters title and will next compete against Jaume Munar.
On the same day, Rune advanced after defeating the 21st-seeded Ugo Humbert with a score of 6-4, 6-4. Meanwhile, Zizou Bergs upset the 19th-seeded Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets: 7-6 (1), 6-3. Gabriel Diallo moved forward in the tournament after David Goffin retired early in their match, handing Diallo a walkover.
Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, fresh from his victory at the Japan Open, was a notable absentee in Shanghai, having withdrawn due to minor injuries. As the tournament progresses, fans are eager to see how the remaining matches unfold under the challenging playing conditions.
