Defending champion Jannik Sinner wins opening match at Shanghai Masters

Jannik Sinner held off a tenacious Daniel Altmaier for a 6-3, 6-3 win to advance to the third round in his title defence at the Shanghai Masters 2025 on Saturday (4 October).

Fresh off winning the China Open, Sinner had to work hard for the victory in his opening match in the round of 64 at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

The Italian tennis ace found an early breakthrough in the third after both players held their opening service games.

Altmaier had a golden opportunity to break back late in the set, where he enjoyed a break point. Sinner then came out on top in a delightful 26-shot rally to ultimately hold serve.

The German then dropped serve in the next game to hand Sinner the first set in what was a closer affair than the scoreline suggested.

Sinner turned the screw in the second set, breaking Altmaier in his first service game to go 3-0 up.

The four-time Grand Slam winner was on cruise control until the German put up some serious resistance in the seventh. Altmaier again came close to breaking back as his booming one-handed backhand returns caused some problems for Sinner.

Sinner survived the onslaught and was forced to serve out the contest to advance to the next round on Sunday, where he will face Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.

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