Overview

• Defending champion Jannik Sinner retired with severe cramping in the third set against Tallon Griekspoor, ending his title defense.
• Alexander Zverev alleged tournament directors are slowing courts to benefit Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner, and reported Court Pace Index figures show Shanghai has dropped from roughly 40–42 to about 32.8–32.9 this year.
• Sinner said players do not set court conditions and that he adapts to different speeds, while Roger Federer has recently urged tournaments to restore more surface variety.
• Carlos Alcaraz is absent after winning Tokyo and opting to rest an ankle issue, and Zverev advanced despite requiring a medical timeout for a toe problem.
• Novak Djokovic reached the last 16 in three sets over Yannick Hanfmann and noted the courts and balls feel slower than last year in heat and humidity that have tested players.