Shanghai Masters 1000: matchups, draw, favorites, and notable absences from the tournament

Carlos Alcaraz will not take part in the Shanghai Masters 1000, a tournament he has yet to add to his list of titles.

The draw had looked favorable for him, with Alcaraz avoiding Novak Djokovic – they could only have met in a possible final – as well as Jannik Sinner, who anchors the bottom half of the bracket. As the No. 1 seed, he had a bye in the first round and was due to make his debut in the second against the winner of American Learner Tien and Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.

A third-round meeting with Britain’s Cameron Norrie could have followed, before a potential round of 16 against Daniil Medvedev or fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich, who may first replay their recent Beijing encounter in the third round. From there, a quarterfinal against Russia’s Karen Khachanov or Australia’s Alex de Minaur could have awaited, and in the semifinals a clash with Alexander Zverev or Lorenzo Musetti.

Sinner faces tough path to defend his crown

Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, will have a more complicated road in his attempt to retain the Shanghai title. Like Alcaraz, the Italian is exempt from the first round as the No. 2 seed and will open against Germany’s Daniel Altmaier or a qualifier. He could face Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in the third round, then a likely round of 16 against Alexander Bublik or Tomas Machac. A quarterfinal with Taylor Fritz or Holger Rune is possible before a potential semifinal against Djokovic or Ben Shelton.

Djokovic still the main attraction

Novak Djokovic will begin in the second round against either Marin Cilic or Corentin Moutet. His path could include Frances Tiafoe, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud or Shelton before a possible semifinal showdown with Sinner.

Other Spaniards in Shanghai

Alejandro Davidovich will start in the second round against Matteo Arnaldi or a qualifier, with a potential third-round meeting with Medvedev. Pedro Martínez opens against France’s Arthur Cazaux in the same section as Alcaraz, while Jaume Munar begins his campaign against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics in Djokovic’s half of the draw.

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