Scouting Report: Alcaraz, Sinner leads the Shanghai field as Djokovic returns | ATP Journey

Reconnaissance report

Scouting report: Alcaraz, Sinner leads the Shanghai field as Djokovic returns

Execution Summary Every Fan Should Know About ATP Masters 1000

September 30, 2025

The 2025 Asian swing climaxed in China, where the best ATP Tour competition is preparing to compete in the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

PIF ATP ranking Carlos Alcaraz is the first in the field, he is chasing his first Shanghai champion. Defending champion Jannik Sinner is second at the Chizon Tennis Center, while the record four-time titlist novak djokovic will make his debut since the U.S. Open.

Atptour.com looks forward to watch 10 things from the China ATP Masters 1000 event.

1) Alcaraz is responsible for: The Spaniard returned to the world number one after his U.S. Open victory earlier this month, and he has maintained this form of red heat in the Asian swing to date. Alcaraz defeated Taylor Fritz in Tokyo on Tuesday to cancel his eighth tour title this season, and the 22-year-old will head to Shanghai to build the building in his quarterfinals a year ago.

2) The sinner defends the crown: Like Alcaraz, Sinner was also impressed at this week’s ATP 500: He accepted Daniil Medvedev or learner Tien in Wednesday’s Beijing final. A year ago, the Italians crossed Djokovic to win his starter Shanghai title over the championship, although it was impossible to repeat the final this time as they were in the same half of the draw.

Watch Sinner’s 2024 Shanghai’s final victory highlights:

3) Djokovic returns to action: Djokovic will first approach Marin Cilic or Corentin Moutet in Shanghai, playing for the first time since the U.S. Open on September 5. With the Serbians having a record of most championships (four) and most match wins (39) in Shanghai Championship history, the Serbs hope his experience at Qi Zhong Tennis Center can help him improve his 41st Masters 1,000 title and his first since November 2023.

4) Zverev, Fritz Chase M1000 succeeds: Alexander Zverev and Fritz each chased the first Masters of the season in Shanghai. Germany’s Zverev is the seven-time champion at that level, and Fritz’s only win is in the Indian Wells in 2022. Ranked third, fifth and fifth in PIF ATP live matches, Zverev and Fritz can take an important step in the Nitto ATP ATP Finals at Shanghai.

5) Sheldon’s return: Ben Shelton was forced to retire from the third round against Adrian Mannarino due to a shoulder injury, and his U.S. open campaign was a tough ending. After a month of recovery, the world’s sixth place is ready to appear again in Shanghai, with his record of 5-2. The American lefty ranked sixth in the PIF ATP live game, trailing Fritz just 85 points as he chased the Nitto ATP final.

6) Torino chasing vest: With a lot of points, Shanghai could be a critical moment for several competitors, aiming to raise their allegations against the Nitto ATP final. Alex de Minaur (seventh) and Lorenzo Musetti (eighth) both arrived in the Beijing semifinals and currently occupy the last two qualifying matches. Former Turin participants Felix Auger-Aliassime (No. 10), Casper Ruud (11th) and Andrey Rublev (No. 12) are best suited to drag them in.

7) Chinese stars: Four of the five family favorites who competed in singles were in the first half of the draw. Among them, Wu Yibing will face Medvedev with the winner in the second round, while Shang Anning meets Aleksandar Kovacevic and gains the rights of Karen Khachanov.

In the second half, Zhang Zhizong is open to Sebastian Baez. Zhang is the only Chinese player to reach the last 16 in Shanghai Championship history (he did so in 2023).

8) Mensik, Tien competition: Jakub Mensik and Tien lead the #NextGenAtp allegations in Shanghai. Mensik, who currently brings the PIF ATP live match to Jeddah, beat Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals of the event’s debut a year ago. Tien is third, a finalist for the 2024 Next Generation ATP Final held by PIF, and will meet with Alcaraz if he overcomes Miomir Kecmanovic in the opener.

9) Wildcard Wawrinka: Former world third-place and three-time main champion Stan Wawrinka made his second appearance in the 1000 Masters in 2025, and his first appearance on hard cards. The 40-year-old Swiss first played Fabian Marozsan, with the winner having a showdown with Fritz, the fifth seed.

10) Cash/Glasspool title doubles field: Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool held their first Masters 1,000 titles in Toronto in August, with the British duo aiming to support it as a top seed in Shanghai. Their competitors in China will include a team that is already eligible for the Nitto ATP final: Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic.