Sinner Overcomes Shelton to Reach Shanghai Quarter-Finals

World number one Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters after a convincing victory over American Ben Shelton. Sinner, showcasing confidence and composure, defeated Shelton in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7/1), in a match that lasted 88 minutes on Wednesday.

The Italian player, who had fallen to Shelton at the same stage last year, displayed renewed determination, breaking through in the ninth game of the first set after Shelton committed a long shot. The second set saw Sinner dominate the tie-break, cementing his win.

“It was very tough, you don’t have so much control when you play against him… I just tried to stay strong mentally,” Sinner commented regarding his match strategy against the robust Shelton.

Other significant players in action included world number two Carlos Alcaraz, who recently triumphed over Sinner in the China Open final, and four-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic. Djokovic continued his strong performance in the tournament by securing a spot in the quarter-finals with a win over Roman Safiullin, taking the match 6-3, 6-2 in just over an hour.

Djokovic, aiming to become the third male player to win 100 tour-level titles, expressed satisfaction with his current form. “Pretty close to 10,” Djokovic stated, rating his recent performances. “I think last night and tonight’s match are maybe some of the best matches I’ve played in a while. I’m just enjoying myself on the court,” he added.

The advancement of Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic sets the stage for an enthralling continuation of the Shanghai Masters, with all eyes on these top seeds as the tournament progresses.