The best players in the world are going to compete in the 2024 Shanghai Masters, one of the most anticipated ATP 1000 events of the year.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz aim to add more silverware to their growing trophy cases in China after winning the four Grand Slams this season after the former won the Australian Open and US Open and the latter won the French Open and Wimbledon.
The Shanghai Masters 2024 odds have them as the favourites, although their margin for error is slightly smaller now that Novak Djokovic has officially announced his return on tour.
Meanwhile, there will be two notable Top 10 absentees in the competition, as Alexander Zverev and Hubert Hurkacz have withdrawn, citing the need to recharge their batteries.
Learn more about the latest Shanghai Masters 2024 updates by continuing to read below.
Alcaraz, Sinner clash in China Open final
Before the Shanghai Masters start, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will battle it out in the China Open final. Sinner is on a 15-match winning streak, while Alcaraz has won eight in a row, so something has to give when they clash on Wednesday.
Since claiming the ATP top spot, Sinner has never looked back. The young Italian international has won six titles this year, and he is in a great position to become the first Italian to clinch the world No. 1 spot at the end of the year.
As things stand, Sinner holds a massive lead over the third-seeded Alcaraz.
However, Alcaraz defeated Sinner in their two meetings this season, a three-setter at Indian Wells and a thrilling five-setter at Roland Garros. And the young Spaniard international has arguably been more dominant in Beijing because he reached the final without dropping a set.
Carlos Alcaraz is attempting to become just the fourth man alongside Novak Djokovic (three times), Andy Murray, and Marat Safin to win the China Open without dropping a set. On the other hand, Sinner aims to become the second man alongside Djokovic to successfully defend his China Open title.
It’s a classic case of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object, and we can’t wait for this enthralling clash between two of the best youngsters in the world today.
“It’s going to be a tough match. We know each other very well now, but every match is different, so the situation on the court is also a bit different than it was the last two matches. But let’s see. I’m happy to be here again in the final,” Sinner said after winning the China Open semi-finals.
“I really like the battles,” Alcaraz added. “The toughest matches facing the best players in the world.”
After the China Open, Alcaraz and Sinner could meet yet again in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals.
Hurkacz forced to skip due to injury
Hubert Hurkacz won last year’s edition of the Shanghai Masters after ripping through Thanasi Kokkinakis, Zhang Zhizhen, and Sebastian Korda before besting Andrey Rublev in an epic three-setter final.
However, the Polish international won’t be able to defend his title this year because he’s struggling with injuries. Hurkacz was forced to retire during the Cincinnati Open semis against Frances Tiafoe due to a calf injury, and then he exited early at the US Open and Japan Open since following losses to Jordan Thompson and Jack Draper, respectively.
It can also be noted that Hurkacz had to go under the knife earlier this year after sustaining a torn meniscus at Wimbledon.
Because he’s pulling out in Shanghai, Hurkacz will take a big hit in points, which will cause him to drop out of the Top 10 after having the No. 8 spot.
More than dropping out of the Top 10 in the ATP rankings, Hubert Hurkacz has to worry about getting back to 100-per cent fitness throughout the rest of this season.
Yunchaokete could be a wildcard in Shanghai
Bu Yunchaokete has been a revelation, as he made it to the China Open semi-finals alongside Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev.
The 22-year-old hometown hero entered the ATP 500 event as a wildcard, but the world No. 96 player defied the odds by beating Jerry Shang, Lorenzo Musetti, and Andrey Rublev before eventually losing to Jannik Sinner.
Yunchaokete’s victory over Rublev puts him up 27 places to world No. 69 in the ATP rankings, and SBOTOP tennis fans are now aware of him ahead of the Shanghai Masters.
He will commence his Shanghai Masters campaign with a match against Alex Michelsen (No. 49) in the Round of 128 on Wednesday.
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