Overview

• World No. 2 Jannik Sinner beat Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-3 to open his title defense and extend his post‑Beijing winning streak to six matches.
• Carlos Alcaraz withdrew before the tournament with a left‑ankle issue, removing a key rival from Sinner’s half and reshaping the path to the title.
• Alexander Zverev alleged events are slowing surfaces to suit Sinner and Alcaraz, with reports citing Shanghai’s court pace index falling from around 40–41 to roughly 32.8–32.9 this year.
• Sinner rejected suggestions of favoritism, saying players do not set court speeds and that he strives to adapt to varying conditions.
• Zverev advanced despite a toe problem, Novak Djokovic survived a three‑set test against Yannick Hanfmann, and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard upset No. 4 Taylor Fritz.