Canada’s Diallo Advances Via Walkover as top players Fall at Shanghai Masters
SHANGHAI – Canada’s Gabriel Diallo advanced to the round of 16 at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday without playing a match, receiving a walkover as his scheduled opponent withdrew. The advancement comes amidst a day of upsets at the tournament, including the unexpected exits of defending champion Jannik Sinner and fourth-ranked Taylor Fritz.
Diallo will now face Zizou Bergs of Belgium, who upset 19th-seeded Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina 7-6 (1), 6-3. The tournament is being played in challenging humid conditions, contributing to several players struggling with physical issues.
Sinner retired during his match against Tallon Griekspoor due to severe leg cramps, trailing 7-6 (3), 5-7, 2-3. The Italian, who recently won the China Open in Beijing, massaged his right thigh during the deciding set before abandoning the match. “This is definitely not the way you want to win,” Griekspoor said. “Brutal conditions here in Shanghai all week already… I’m sorry for him, I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Fritz was upset by Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 7-5, marking Perricard’s first tour victory against the American. mpetshi Perricard fired 12 aces and will next face 10th-seeded Holger Rune.
Elsewhere,Novak Djokovic overcame a challenging challenge from German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann,rallying to win 4-6,7-5,6-3. Djokovic, seeking a record-extending fifth Shanghai Masters title, was visibly affected by the conditions, even becoming sick during the second set and throwing up during a changeover. “It’s the same for every player out on the court,but it’s brutal,” Djokovic said. “It’s brutal when you have over 80 per cent of humidity day after day.” He will face Jaume Munar in the next round.
Also on Sunday, Rune defeated 21st-seeded Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-4.Top-ranked carlos Alcaraz, fresh off a victory at the Japan Open last week, is not participating in Shanghai due to minor ailments.
In other scheduled round of 32 matches, Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., is set to play Jiri Lehecka of Czechia, and Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal will face Jesper de Jong of Netherlands.
