By Tony Fairbairn

Jannik Sinner [2] v Daniel Altmaier
Alexander Zverev [3] v Valentin Royer [Q]
Karen Khachanov [9] v Juncheng Shang [WC]

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Jannik Sinner begins his Shanghai title defence against Daniel Altmaier as the second round action concludes on day four.

 

 

Jannik Sinner [2] v Daniel Altmaier H2H & Match Fundamentals

Jannik Sinner [2] v Daniel Altmaier  
H2H: Tied at 1-1                              

ATP Shanghai 2025  
Shanghai, China    

Hard (O)
Prize Money: $35,260

Third on Stadium Court (Not before 11:30 BST)  
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

After disappointment in the US Open final, Jannik Sinner is back on track after claiming the title in Beijing. Another remarkable week for the Italian but the title in the Chinese capital showed us some different qualities of the now world number two. There was resilience and character as well as confidence as Sinner overcame some blips in order to get past the field. Now Sinner will hope that can continue as he is overwhelming favourite this week to claim back-to-back titles in Shanghai and keep his hopes of ending the year world number one alive.

A tricky start awaits Sinner in the opening round in the form of Daniel Altmaier who has beaten Sinner at a Grand Slam before. Granted that was before Sinner’s dominance started and it was on clay but Altmaier will take any confidence boost he can get ahead of his Shanghai showdown with the Italian. In terms of current form, the German isn’t in the most consistent form in the world but will be aiming to improve that side of his game as he looks to cement his place in the world’s top 50 by the end of the year.

Sinner will look to use the forehand to suffocate Altmaier’s baseline play as well as serving aggressively. Meanwhile, Altmaier will use the backhand to dictate play and will look to find impressive angles against the Italian. This will be a good opening round test but Sinner should have too much consistent quality for an erratic Altmaier.

Prediction: Sinner in straight sets.

 

Alexander Zverev [3] v Valentin Royer [Q] H2H & Match Fundamentals

Alexander Zverev [3] v Valentin Royer [Q]
H2H: First Meeting                

ATP Shanghai 2025  
Shanghai, China    

Hard (O)
Prize Money: $35,260

Second on Stadium Court (07:00 BST) 
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

A golden opportunity was missed by Alexander Zverev in Beijing as he went out in the quarter-finals. The German is aiming to make the ATP Finals but will only be present and not a challenger if his current form holds up. A failure to be the aggressor in the longer rallies has halted his progress in recent months as he will now bid for a strong end to the season in what has been an underwhelming season by his standards.

The first challenge for Zverev will be in-form qualifier Valentin Royer. The Frenchman has had a very good Asian swing so far as he reached the final in Hangzhou by knocking out Andrey Rublev and Learner Tien along the way. It has been an impressive last few weeks from the 24 year-old who is up to 76 in the world and looking to keep his rise up the rankings going. The sudden burst of momentum could work in his favour over the next couple of months as he bids for a direct entry spot into the Australian Open in January.

Zverev will aim for accurate yet consistent serving as he looks to put Royer’s returning game under pressure. Meanwhile the Frenchman will aim to use the backhand to force Zverev into some tactical errors as he aim for consistency over aggressive play and risk-taking. On form, Zverev doesn’t seem like favourite in this match but the German has a habit of doing just enough in these types of matches without looking particularly impressive.

Prediction: Zverev in three sets.

 

 

Karen Khachanov [9] v Juncheng Shang [WC] H2H & Match Fundamentals

Karen Khachanov [9] v Juncheng Shang [WC]  
H2H: First Meeting                            

ATP Shanghai 2025  
Shanghai, China    

Hard (O)
Prize Money: $35,260

Fourth on Stadium Court (13:00 BST)   
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

After a good Wimbledon as well as reaching the final in Toronto, Karen Khachanov’s recent form has tailed off a little bit. The ninth seed has the talent to go deep in the world’s biggest tournaments but his consistency has been questioned on many occasions and that will continue if he can’t back up his big runs. Now, Khachanov will aim to get back on track in the latter stages of this successful 2025 season.

A big test awaits Khachanov in the form of home hope Juncheng Shang. The 20 year-old was all set to take the tour by storm and has the talent and athleticism to get to the top of the sport. However, a big injury at the Australian Open forced him off the tour for seven months and has now fallen down the rankings as he is currently outside the world’s top 200. A fit and healthy version of Shang is a very dangerous one and he is looking to prove that with an inspired run on home soil.

Khachanov will look to be aggressive on serve with some powerful hitting on the forehand side. Meanwhile, Shang will use a mixture of variety and power to throw Khachanov off his game. This should be a thrilling contest with lots of ups and downs expected with an inspired Shang expected to pull off a big win in his comeback from injury.

Prediction: Shang in three sets.

 

 

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