Jannik Sinner faced a heart-wrenching moment at the Rolex Shanghai Masters as he was forced to retire mid-match during his third-round clash against Tallon Griekspoor. The Italian, currently ranked World No. 2, seemed poised to defend his title and gain crucial points to close the gap on rival Carlos Alcaraz, who was absent from the tournament due to an ankle injury sustained at the Japan Open. Unfortunately, Sinner’s hopes were dashed as he succumbed to cramps in his right thigh, leaving the score at 6-7(3), 7-5, 3-2 in favor of his Dutch opponent.
Griekspoor, who made history by becoming the first Dutch player to reach the fourth round of the Shanghai tournament, expressed his sympathy for Sinner post-match. “I thought we were a little bit lucky to play in the evening without sun, but two hours and 36 minutes into the match, it’s tough to see someone go through that,” he remarked, wishing Sinner a speedy recovery.
The match showcased intense exchanges, particularly in the high-quality first set, where both players excelled during their service games. Griekspoor noted a pivotal moment in the second set when he saved multiple break points, demonstrating the fine margins that often determine outcomes at this level.
Advancing to the next round, Griekspoor is set to face Valentin Vachieroi, who progressed after Toma Machac retired while trailing 6-0, 3-1. This tournament has seen an alarming trend of retirements, with seven players already having withdrawn due to various issues, raising concerns for organizers and the ATP Tour. In addition to Sinner and Griekspoor’s matches, high-profile withdrawals included Stefanos Tsitsipas, who cited a leg injury, and several seeded players like Ben Shelton, Andrey Rublev, and Taylor Fritz—who lost in the second round to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard after an impressive run at the Japan Open.
Amidst the chaos of early exits, two-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic remains in contention, having overcome German qualifier Yannik Hanfmann in a dramatic match that saw him edge through 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. Djokovic acknowledged the exhausting conditions in Shanghai, struggling with the oppressive humidity that has challenged many players this week. “It’s brutal when you have over 80 percent humidity day after day,” Djokovic noted, highlighting the physical toll it takes on competitors.
With the tournament progressing and the draw thinning, Alexander Zverev stands as the highest seed left in the competition, overcoming his own issues with a foot injury. As the remaining matches unfold, fans anticipate further surprises and thrilling encounters in Shanghai.
