Overview

• Qualifier Valentin Vacherot, ranked No. 204, reached the Shanghai semifinals by defeating No. 10 seed Holger Rune 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 as the Dane battled physical issues.
• Novak Djokovic beat Zizou Bergs 6-3, 7-5 to book his 80th Masters 1000 semifinal and a 10th in Shanghai, setting up a first meeting with Vacherot.
• The event has produced a run of retirements and medical visits, including Jannik Sinner’s cramp-induced retirement, prompting Italy’s Davis Cup captain to suggest exploring indoor options in China.
• Andy Roddick blamed the congested schedule for absences and retirements, while Rennae Stubbs rebuked Alexander Zverev for claiming surface speeds were set to favor rivals.
• After several days of rest, Sinner plans light training before flying Sunday to Riyadh for the Netflix-exclusive Six Kings Slam exhibition, which guarantees at least $1.5 million per player.