Canada’s Diallo Advances in Shanghai After Walkover While Sinner and Fritz Face Early Exits
Gabriel Diallo Advances at Rolex Shanghai Masters Amid Challenging Conditions
Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo swiftly advanced to the round of 16 in the men’s singles at the Rolex Shanghai Masters tennis tournament with a brief yet decisive 12-minute match on Saturday night. His competitor, David Goffin from Belgium, retired due to an injury after Diallo quickly surged ahead 3-0 in the round of 32 match. Diallo is set to compete against the winner of the match between Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina and Belgium’s Zizou Bergs.
Key Matches in Round of 32 at Shanghai Masters
Alongside Diallo’s progress, other prominent matches in the round of 32 include Denis Shapovalov from Richmond Hill, Ontario, facing Jiri Lehecka from Czechia. Meanwhile, another Montreal native, Felix Auger-Aliassime, is scheduled to compete against Jesper de Jong from the Netherlands.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s Upset Over Top Player
In an unexpected turn of events, French powerhouse Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard upset the fourth-ranked Taylor Fritz with a gripping 6-4, 7-5 victory, earning him a spot in the fourth round. Fritz’s challenge was effectively thwarted by Perricard’s dominant serves, recording 12 aces compared to Fritz’s nine. Perricard will now face 10th-seeded Holger Rune in the next stage.
Defending Champion Jannik Sinner’s Withdrawal
In another dramatic development, the defending champion Jannik Sinner retired from his match against Tallon Griekspoor due to severe leg cramps after a challenging game in the humid Shanghai conditions. Sinner, who was leading in the opening set, eventually trailed 7-6 (3), 5-7, 2-3. Griekspoor expressed sympathy, stating the conditions were remarkably tough, especially with the high humidity levels.
Novak Djokovic Pushes Through Difficult Conditions
Top-seeded Novak Djokovic faced a tough battle against German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, eventually rallying to a victory with scores of 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. Djokovic, who aims to secure his fifth title at the Shanghai Masters, struggled with Hanfmann’s impressive serves and net play. The match was set against the backdrop of challenging weather conditions, with Djokovic experiencing health issues, articulating the difficulty of enduring the high humidity.
Other Tournament Highlights
- Holger Rune defeated the 21st-seeded Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-4, securing his spot in the last 16.
- Zizou Bergs achieved an upset victory over 19th-seeded Francisco Cerundolo with a score of 7-6 (1), 6-3.
Significantly, top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz is absent from Shanghai due to minor ailments, following his success at the Japan Open last week.
Stay updated with Emegypt for more developments on the Rolex Shanghai Masters and other major tennis tournaments worldwide.
