Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz survived challenging matches at the Shanghai Masters to make it to the final 16.
The top-ranked Sinner overcame a setback to defeat Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-2, and Alcaraz defeated Yibing Wu 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.
In the contest’s decisive set, Sinner maintained his serve for 11 minutes to take an early 4-2 lead. He then won the following two games to finish the match in 2 hours and 38 minutes.
“It got stressful because if I lose the game at 3-2 and he makes the break then we are back even,” remarked the Italian player.
“You have to wait for your opportunities sometimes, which I have done, and try to maintain your composure. That was crucial today.”
Sinner is competing in the midst of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal against the decision to absolve him of responsibility after he tested positive twice for a prohibited substance. Sinner has won six titles this year, including two Grand Slams.
Before his Argentine opponent, who was dazzling with his large serving and powerful game, won the tie-break, he lost two break points when leading 6-5 in the opening set.
With a cracking forehand down the line, Sinner won the fifth game of the second set on Etcheverry’s serve. However, the world number 37 immediately broke back with a similarly excellent crosscourt forehand.
In order to tie the match, the Italian earned a second consecutive break and easily served out the set. He then fought through the decisive set to advance to the round of sixteen, where he will face either American Ben Shelton or Spanish player Roberto Carballes Baena.
“It was a very tough match physically, but also mentally so I am very happy that I have been through this one and let’s see what is coming,” Sinner said.
Playing against China’s Wu, who defied his ranking of 560, was world number two Alcaraz.
Wu led off a superb first set in which both players displayed brilliant groundstrokes.
The home crowd was behind him, and he made several spectacular shots, particularly off his backhand.
Nevertheless, he dropped it to fall down a set even though he was able to reach a tie-break because to increased pressure on his serve.
Wu believed he had saved a break point in the sixth game of the second set, but an Alcaraz review determined that his first serve was out.
After winning the point, the Spaniard went on to serve out the remainder of the match and record the first break of the match, leading 4-2.
“He is regaining his footing. Since he is recovering from an injury, Alcaraz stated, “His level definitely deserves to be at the top.”
“I expect to see him more frequently if he continues to perform at this caliber.
“I’m overjoyed to have succeeded. It’s not how I usually feel on the court. He performed strongly and is a really strong player. I thought I wasn’t winning the game.”
Daniil Medvedev also survived, overcoming Matteo Arnaldi 5-7 6-4 6-4 in two hours and forty-four minutes.
In the ninth game of the final set, Medvedev secured the crucial break. He then served out the match and will face either Alexandre Muller or Stefanos Tsitsipas in the round of 16.
“It was a really difficult and tightly contested match,” Medvedev remarked. “I thought that was the amusing part about tennis, frankly. I thought I was probably the better player and had more opportunities in the first set. I performed poorly towards the conclusion of the set and was unable to win.
“I felt it was closer in the previous sets, and at some points, he might have even had the advantage. I’m glad to be back here in two days, but that’s the strange thing about tennis—you can lose when you expect to lose and win when you don’t expect to.”
Rain forced the cancellation of play on the outdoor courts for the second day in a row; matches could only take place inside the main stadium show court.
