Shanghai hotshots Alcaraz, Sinner deliver straight-set wins

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner sprinted through opening matches at the ATP Shanghai Masters on Saturday, with both young guns advancing in straight sets into the third round after byes.

Top seed Alcaraz shook off his loss to Italy’s sinner just four days ago in Beijing, starting afresh in Shanghai over Gregoire Barrere 6-2, 7-5 in one and three-quarter hours.

Sinner, Beijing titleholder over Daniil Medvedev, imposed his game on American Marcos Giron 7-6(7), 6-2.

The sixth consecutive match win was enough to ensure the Italian his first qualifying spot in next month’s eight-man ATP Finals at home in Turin.

Alcaraz was untouchable in his China victory as he makes his debut in the country’s sprawling commercial capital.

The 20-year-old Spaniard got away to 4-0 and won as he saved six of seven break points.

“I had just one practice here in Shanghai and then the match,” Alcaraz said.

“He (Barrere) was more used to these conditions (due to) more practice and a match to hand.

“It was really difficult to adapt my game in a new city, new conditions, but I think I did pretty well.

“I played really focused, I tried to take lessons from the last match in Beijing and tried to be a better player. “I tried to not make the mistakes I did in Beijing.”

Alcaraz improved to 62-8 on the season as he chases a third 2023 Masters title; continued success – a final – at the event could put him past Novak Djokovic, who currently leads the rankings after winning the US Open.

Djokovic will not be playing again until early November in Paris as he puts “minor” events on his persona; back burner.

Sinner, seeded sixth, had to work to get past Giron, needing to come back form 3-6 down in the fist set tiebreaker while saving four set points along the way.

He gained control in the second set, taking victory with 25 winners.

“I’m very happy. The first matches are never easy,” Sinner said. “I tried somehow to raise my level.

“I knew that the first set was going to be tough and I started off not in the best possible way.

“I just tried to stay there, especially mentally. I got lucky when he had set point, so happy about the ending.

“If I see the positive, at the end of the match I played a little bit better so hopefully it gives me confidence for the next round.”

Main photo: Carlos Alcaraz winning in Shanghai by Pete Staples/ATP