In a thrilling comeback, world number one Jannik Sinner battled back from a set down to defeat Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 at the prestigious Shanghai Masters tournament. The 23-year-old Italian, fresh from his 250th career win, faced a stern test against the 37th-ranked Etcheverry under the lights of the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena.
Etcheverry stole the show with a breathtaking drop volley to take the first set in a nail-biting tiebreaker. However, Sinner regained his composure in the second set, trading breaks before seizing the opportunity to level the match. The momentum shifted decisively in Sinner’s favor in the third set, as he broke Etcheverry twice more to secure a hard-fought victory in 2 hours and 39 minutes.
The win sets up a potential rematch against 16th-ranked Ben Shelton, who defeated Sinner at the same tournament last year, or Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena. “It was a very physically and mentally demanding match, so I’m thrilled to have come out on top,” said Sinner, who is chasing his seventh title of the year.
In another dramatic encounter, fifth-ranked Daniil Medvedev fought back from a set down to defeat Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. Medvedev’s experience and poise ultimately told as he clinched a crucial break in the ninth game of the deciding set to secure a 2 hour and 44-minute victory.
The Russian will face either 12th-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexandre Muller in the next round. Meanwhile, second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz continued his winning streak, defeating Chinese player Wu Yibing 7-6 (5), 6-3 to set up a potential clash with Sinner in the later rounds.
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