Overview

• Novak Djokovic defeated Jaume Munar 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 after an ankle scare and visible exhaustion, keeping alive his bid for a record-extending fifth Shanghai title as the top-ranked player left.
• Defending champion Jannik Sinner retired against Tallon Griekspoor with severe cramps and has returned to Monte Carlo to rest, with reports indicating exhaustion rather than structural injury and a 2,540-point deficit to Carlos Alcaraz in the year-end race.
• World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz withdrew before the event to rest an ankle issue following his Tokyo title, contributing to a wide-open draw.
• Top seeds continued to fall in stifling conditions, with Alexander Zverev losing to Arthur Rinderknech and Taylor Fritz beaten by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, as players reported temperatures over 30°C and humidity above 80%; Djokovic vomited during his previous match but advanced.
• Calls for action escalated as Holger Rune urged a formal heat policy and voices such as Patrick Mouratoglou attributed Sinner’s cramps to extreme humidity, renewing scrutiny of scheduling and on-court treatment rules for cramps.