Sinner in the same draw section as Djokovic at the 2025 Shanghai Masters

Jannik Sinner holds the title of current Shanghai Masters champion after beating Novak Djokovic in the 2024 final match.

The penultimate ATP 1000 event of 2025, the Shanghai Masters, begins today on October 1st. The draw was released by the organizers two days ago; here, the defending champion Jannik Sinner has landed in a relatively favorable section.

As a seeded player, Sinner receives a bye in the first round (round of 64). His opening opponent will be Daniel Altmaier or Tristan Schoolkate - players who advanced through qualifying. Neither poses a significant challenge for a high-form Sinner at present.

If he passes this stage, Sinner will face Tallon Griekspoor or Jenson Brooksby in the third round. Sinner is expected to overcome this test easily: Griekspoor is currently performing poorly, as his name suggests, while Brooksby’s unusual style is unlikely to withstand the powerful shots of the world number two.

In the fourth round (round of 16), Sinner is likely to meet again Alexander Bublik - an opponent he has faced three times this year. The 2001-born player defeated Bublik comfortably at Roland Garros and the US Open but also suffered a loss to him at the Halle Open.

In the quarterfinals, Sinner’s potential opponent is the fifth seed Taylor Fritz, along with other notable names such as Holger Rune and Ugo Humbert. Unless there are surprises, the 24-year-old will face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

This is the same final pairing from the 2024 Shanghai Masters, where Sinner defeated Djokovic in straight sets to claim the title, ending Nole’s winning streak in finals at Shanghai. Given current form, it is unlikely the Grand Slam record-holder will pull off an upset against the young and talented contender.

With Carlos Alcaraz withdrawing from this year’s Shanghai Masters due to an ankle injury, Sinner’s chances of defending his title here look brighter than ever.

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