Sunday delivered the most dramatic day of the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters, as defending champion Jannik Sinner's title defense ended in heartbreak while other seeds tumbled in humid, brutal conditions. The Italian world number two was forced to retire at 6-7(3), 7-5, 3-2 down against Tallon Griekspoor due to severe cramping in his right thigh. Taylor Fritz suffered an upset served by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who eliminated the favorized American by 6-4 7-5. Novak Djokovic has escaped from getting defeated by Yannick Hanfmann, coming back from set down to win by 4-6 7-5 6-3. Apart from this, two other retirements featured this eventful day in Shanghai.
Sinner withdraws against Griekspoor, injury plague continues
After battling for two hours and 36 minutes in oppressive humidity, Sinner's physical struggles became apparent late in the second set. He rushed to place ice towels around his neck between sets and frequently massaged his leg during the decider before ultimately unable to continue. Despite that, all the words of appreciation are deserved for Tallon Griekspoor, who made his best to stay in contention against the huge favorite despite being a set down. The Dutch was serving very well in second set and his good form displayed on that day was crucial to capitalize on Sinner's struggles. It is just third hard courts defeat faced by the world number two after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in US Open final and also pulling out during final of ATP 1000 Cincinnati against the Spaniard.
Withdrawal slowly becames a keyword of recent Asian hard courts swing. Trouble-free Saturday was seemingly an exception to the rule, as today 3 out of 8 matches ended up prematurely. Apart from Sinner, Tomas Machac and David Goffin walked off the court during their third round's matches. The Czech pulled out in a match against the sensational Monegasque - Valentin Vacherot. The world number 204 was leading by 6-0 3-1 ahead of the withdrawal of Machac - already 5th in that season. The Czech was playing with tape on his knee, visibly struggling with some pain. Vacherot will play against Griekspoor in round of 16.
David Goffin was not able to follow his great win over Ben Shelton in previous round, as the experienced Belgian withdrew after just 3 games played against Gabriel Diallo, having troubles with his movements since the start.
Mpetshi Perricard stuns Fritz
In another stunning upset, 32nd seed Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard claimed the biggest victory of his career by defeating fifth seed Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-5. The 21-year-old Frenchman fired 12 aces and broke serve once in each set to secure his first top 10 win this season. Fritz, who had battled back from 2-6 down against Fabian Marozsan two days earlier, couldn't replicate his comeback magic and appeared to be running on fumes after a grueling stretch of tennis in recent weeks. The match was expected to be a huge serving fest performed by two of the best servers in the tour. However in longer perspective, it's Fritz who capitalizes on his weapons much more, this time Mpetshi Perricard played a comprehensive match, firing 12 aces, winning 80% of first serve points, faced just 8 pressure points and won all of those in compare to 20 produced on Fritz's return. It's also just 15th victory of the Frenchman in 36 main draw matches played on ATP Tour level this year.
Djokovic escapes Hanfmann's scare
Fourth seed Novak Djokovic survived a stern examination from qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, rallying from a set down to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in nearly three hours. The Serbian appeared to vomit during a second-set changeover but recovered to extend his unbeaten record in second rounds at Shanghai to 11-0. Hanfmann's 13 aces and heavy groundstrokes tested Djokovic throughout, but the four-time champion shortened points and used his experience to advance. Both players were holding their service games very confidently after surprising outcome of first set won by the German, currently ranked 159th in ATP rankings. The multiple Grand Slam champion was clutch in decisive moments though, finding his chances when the opponent was serving under pressure to stay in second set and adding the decisive break in the middle of third set. With Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton being out of contention, the draw opens wide for the Serbian to perform another victorious run in Shanghai.
Monday matches preview
The third round of the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters continues Monday with eight compelling matchups as the tournament reaches the Round of 16. The day features a mix of revenge opportunities, intriguing stylistic contrasts, and the continued emergence of breakout star Learner Tien. Here's a closer look at four key matches set to shape the tournament's trajectory. The draw is already shaken and wide open in bottom half, it's interesting to see how the progress continues in the completion of round of 16 in upper half.
Zverev vs. Rinderknech
Third seed Alexander Zverev faces a tricky test against Arthur Rinderknech in what promises to be their second career meeting. The Frenchman defeated Zverev 7-6(3), 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4 in a five-set thriller at Wimbledon earlier this year, their only one meeting so far. That first-round upset showcased Rinderknech's ability to produce his best tennis against top opponents, firing aces and competing fiercely in pressure moments. Zverev arrives in Shanghai still nursing a right toe injury that flared up during his second-round victory over Valentin Royer 6-4, 6-4. Despite receiving medical treatment late in that match, the German managed to serve it out without dropping a break point. His 48-18 record in 2025 includes a 24-8 mark on hard courts, and he's chasing his first Masters 1000 title of the season and first on hard courts this year.
Rinderknech, ranked 54th, advanced with a straightforward 6-3, 6-4 victory over Alex Michelsen after receiving a walkover from Hamad Medjedovic in the opening round. The Frenchman holds a miserable 12-16 record in 2025 on hard courts but has shown flashes of his dangerous serve-and-volley game. His aggressive style and big serve make him a threat on any given day, particularly against players struggling with form or fitness. With Zverev dealing with the toe issue and still searching for consistent results, Rinderknech will sense an opportunity for another upset.
Medvedev vs. Davidovich Fokina
Former Shanghai champion Daniil Medvedev continues his resurgence against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a matchup that heavily favors the Russian. Medvedev leads their head-to-head 5-1 overall and 3-1 on hard courts, including a dominant 6-3, 6-3 victory in Beijing last week. The 16th seed demolished qualifier Dalibor Svrcina 6-1, 6-1 in just 60 minutes, striking 22 winners to nine unforced errors in a clinical display of baseline excellence. Medvedev appears to be finding his form with his new coaching team. The 2019 Shanghai champion produced 24 winners against Svrcina while winning 83% of first serve points and never facing a break point. That looks like a continue of his climb back to good shape despite a failure against Learner Tien in Beijing's semifinals, where he was very much close to make into big final.
Davidovich Fokina, seeded 18th, defeated Matteo Arnaldi 6-4, 6-4 to advance, blasting 35 winners while never dropping serve. The 26-year-old Spaniard holds a 37-22 record in 2025 with a 23-14 mark on hard courts, reaching finals in Delray Beach, Acapulco, and Washington earlier this year. His aggressive baseline game and ability to produce spectacular winners make him entertaining but inconsistent. While capable of troubling Medvedev in individual sets, Davidovich Fokina has struggled to close out matches against the elite, particularly against an opponent who completely neutralized him in their most recent encounter.
Tien vs. Norrie
19 years-old sensation Learner Tien continues his remarkable breakthrough season against veteran Cameron Norrie in their third career meeting. The American teenager rallied past Corentin Moutet 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second round after stunning Medvedev in Beijing last week. The American grows up for a specialists of comeback. He came back against Medvedev who was serving for an advance into final being set and break up, and performed another comeback against Moutet in first round. The Frenchman was leading by 6-4 3-0 with double break in second set. It looked like Tien is out of gas after his deepest run in Beijing, but performed an amazing turnover which just boosts the confidence of the new world number 36. Tien demonstrates his ability to problem-solve mid-match, adjusting tactics after dropping the opening set and grinding out a victory through superior fitness and determination.
Cameron Norrie, the 30th seed, scraped past Arthur Cazaux 6-3, 0-6, 7-6(5) in a rollercoaster match that highlighted both his resilience and current struggles. The Brit holds just a modest record of 14-15 on hard courts in 2025 and has battled consistency issues throughout the season. His grinding baseline style typically wears down opponents over the course of long rallies, but against a young, fit opponent like Tien, that approach may backfire. Norrie and Tien has met two times so far, both this season on hard courts. Norrie defeated Tien in season's opener in Hong Kong at the end of December 2024, but Tien processed a successful revenge in Acapulco two months later, winning in straight sets.
Musetti vs. Darderi
Eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti faces an all-Italian clash against compatriot Luciano Darderi. The 23 years-old lives best time in his career so far, being ranked in his highest 30th place, getting into seeding spots. However, the Italian is still yet to get versatile in terms of excelling on all surfaces. His record on clay in ATP Tour this season is impressive (21-8), but hard courts performance is very much abysmal in compare to that - 6 wins in 16 matches played. The run into third round of US Open was his only one this year on that surface to win two matches in one event. Darderi found his place in third round after defeating Bu Yunchaokete by 6-4 6-4. Lorenzo Musetti recovered after withdraw in quarterfinals against Learner Tien in Beijing, putting a comprehensive performance against Francisco Comesana. The world number 9 won by 6-4 6-0 without any breakpoints faced and won all 6 pressure points faced on serve. Musetti leads their head-to-head 1-0 on hard courts from their only previous meeting, but Darderi leads the career series 2-1 overall after capturing two clay court victories. The elegant one-handed backhand of Musetti contrasts sharply with Darderi's more workmanlike approach, setting up an intriguing stylistic matchup.
