The ATP Masters 1000 series resumes in Shanghai this week, boasting a star-studded field and a hefty prize pool of over $10 million. Nine of the world’s top 10 players will compete, including Novak Djokovic, who makes his first appearance since his early exit at the US Open.
The tournament’s seedings have raised eyebrows, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the two most dominant players of 2024, seeded below Alexander Zverev and Djokovic. This discrepancy reflects the ATP’s live rankings, where Alcaraz has recently reclaimed the No. 2 spot.
Sinner faces a challenging path to the semifinals, with a potential quarterfinal clash against Daniil Medvedev. Alcaraz, on the other hand, has a more favorable draw, with a possible opener against local favorite Jerry Shang. Djokovic could face another young Chinese talent, Bu Yunchaokete, in the first round, followed by a potential quarterfinal against Andrey Rublev.
Some intriguing early matchups to watch include Lorenzo Sonego vs. Denis Shapovalov, Shang Jungcheng vs. Alcaraz, and Tommy Paul vs. Alejandro Tabilo. If Matteo Berrettini wins his opener, he will face Holger Rune.
Despite last year’s upsets, which saw the top four seeds eliminated before the quarterfinals, it’s likely that the tournament’s favorites will prevail this time around. Sinner and Djokovic are projected to reach the semifinals, with Sinner ultimately emerging victorious in the final.
