The second to last ATP Masters 1000 series tournament is well underway in Shanghai, China, and tennis stars are hitting the hard court every day. With the rounds of 128 and 64 already behind us and the round of 32 being played right now, there is still plenty of the best tennis in the world left to be played. This year’s event will be very interesting indeed, as Carlos Alcaraz had to withdraw while Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, had to retire due to cramps in the third round. This means that the two biggest favorites are the World No. 3 and 4, Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic, last year’s runner up. Already, it has been an eventful tournament, but more surprises and great performances await us.
If you are a fan of top level tennis, this is the place to be next week as the big final awaits us on Sunday, October 12. To help you along the way, this guide will serve as a preview of the latest odds, predictions and value picks for the fans and betting enthusiasts. The tournament is the best that Asia has to offer in world class tennis, and the players are eager to capture the prestigious trophy. With 1000 ATP points to their name if they do, and a hefty portion of $1.1 million out of the total $9.2 million in prize money, it is one of the best titles in the season. And if you want to get in the mix and prove your tennis knowledge, here is how to bet on Shanghai Masters and turn your predictions into income.
The Situation So Far
The biggest surprise of the tournament by far has been Sinner’s retirement from the tournament in the round of 32 to Tallon Griekspoor. With the scores 6-7, 7-5, 3-2, the world No. 1 and defending champion had to forfeit due to cramps, meaning the Dutch player and world No. 31 went through. This has huge implications not just for the tournament, but the entire season. World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the tournament entirely due to an ankle injury. This means he will lose points as he got to the quarter finals in 2024. But nobody will lose more than Sinner, as his tally will be 950 points short when the rankings are updated.
World No. 4 Taylor Fritz also lost early, falling in straight sets to the Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the 37th player in the world. Zverev ended up being defeated by Rinderknech. This means that out of the top 5, only Djokovic is left. Novak, the GOAT of tennis according to many, is through to the round of 16 as he beat Yannick Hanfmann 2-1 after dropping the first set. On Tuesday, October 7, he will face Jaume Munar, who is 41st in the world, and a big underdog.
Other notable seeded players include Alex de Minaur, Felix Auger Aliassime, Lorenzo Musetti, Daniil Medvedev, and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. In the round of 32, Medvedev (16) and Davidovich Fokina (18) will cross rackets, while Musetti (8) goes up against his countryman Luciano Darderi (26). De Minaur plays the unseeded Kamil Majchrzak. As for the round of 16 pairs that are already known, Griekspoor faces Valentin Vacherot, Gabriel Diallo plays Zizou Bergs, while the world No. 11 Holger Rune plays Perricard.
Potential Draw Pairings
One of the best things about each ATP tournament, or any sport for that matter, is theorizing and speculating about potential meetings before they happen. For example, should Djokovic win, he will play in the quarter finals against the winner of the Diallo-Bergs duel. Then, if he moves through in that one, it will be either one of the Perricard-Rune or Vacherot-Griekspoor matchups. If everything goes well for both, we will have a Djokovic vs Zverev final, which is what most fans are hoping for, especially neutral ones who just want good tennis.
On the other side of the draw, the round of 16 pairings are yet to be determined, but it could also be quite the spectacle. Cameron Norrie plays Learner Tien, and the winner faces the winner of the Medvedev-Fokina duel. The winner of Majchrzak-De Minaur faces the winner of Shang-Boirges. As for the favorite Zverev, should he beat Rinderknech, he goes up against the winner of Shapovalov-Lehecka. Finally, Auger Alissime-de Jong and Darderi Musetti winners will meet up. If you think you can predict who wins and moves through, Stake is there as the best place to place those bets.
What a Win Would Mean for the Favorites
A potential victory would carry significant weight for Novak Djokovic. A fifth Shanghai Masters title would extend his record and further cement his legacy as the most dominant player in Masters 1000 history. It would also underscore his remarkable longevity and ability to stay at the top well into his late 30s. At 38 years of age, the Serbian superstar is still going strong. Only two of the younger, faster, and stronger players in Sinner and Alcaraz have managed to get the best of him. But hey, they are 24 and 22 years old, after all!
The History of the Tournament
The Shanghai Masters, officially known as the Rolex Shanghai Masters, is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in Asia and part of the ATP Masters 1000 series. Established in its current format in 2009, the tournament is played on outdoor hard courts at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, China. It quickly gained a reputation for excellence, being voted ATP Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year multiple times, thanks to its world class facilities, enthusiastic crowds, and top tier organization. It has been the favorite for many legendary players over the years who cannot wait for October to roll in and for the tournament to start.
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have been the standout performers in Shanghai. Djokovic holds the record for most titles at the event, winning it four times (2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018). Federer claimed two titles (2014, 2017) and remains one of the fan favorites in his retirement. Andy Murray, another multiple time champion, won the tournament in 2010 and 2016.
Shanghai has also seen breakthrough performances. Daniil Medvedev’s run to the 2019 title was a major step in his rise to the top of the sport. He beat Alexander Zverev in the final, who will now look to improve on that result. The tournament was canceled from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID 19 pandemic, but returned in 2023 with renewed energy and global interest. Hubert Huracz won it that time, beating Fabian Maroszan in the final.
Paris Masters Awaits Next
When the Shanghai Masters finishes, the Paris Masters is next on the schedule as the final ATP 1000 event of the season. Played indoors at the Accor Arena in Bercy, it is known for its fast paced hard courts and unpredictable outcomes. It has often played a crucial role in ATP Finals qualification. In 2025, the frontrunners will once again be Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz brings explosive athleticism, while Sinner’s form and consistency make him a strong indoor contender. Both of them will be hungry for the title after missing out on the Shanghai trophy. Djokovic, a record seven time champion in Paris, remains a major threat despite his age.
ATP Shanghai Masters History and FAQs
1. What is the ATP Shanghai Masters?
The Shanghai Masters is a prestigious ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament held annually in Shanghai, China. It is one of the nine ATP Masters events and the only one held in East Asia.
2. Where is the tournament held?
The event is hosted at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, a state of the art venue in Minhang District, Shanghai. It features a unique magnolia shaped retractable roof.
3. When is the Shanghai Masters usually played?
The tournament typically takes place in October, following the Asian swing of the ATP Tour calendar, right after tournaments in Tokyo and Beijing. It is the penultimate one of the season.
4. Why is the Shanghai Masters important for tennis in Asia?
It is considered the premier men’s tournament in Asia that helps grow the sport in the region. It has been attracting the world’s top players since its inception in 2009 as a Masters 1000 event. Since there is no Grand Slam on the continent, it is the biggest ATP tournament in Asia.
5. Who has won the most Shanghai Masters titles?
Novak Djokovic holds the record with 4 titles (2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018). He is also the only player to have won the tournament without dropping a set three times.
6. What type of court surface is used at the tournament?
The Shanghai Masters is played on outdoor hard courts. The surface is relatively fast, thereby favoring aggressive baseline play and big servers.
7. What is the prize money for the Shanghai Masters?
Prize money varies each year, but it is typically over $7 million USD. It makes it one of the more lucrative non Grand Slam events on the ATP Tour and therefore features the world’s top seeds.
8. How does the Shanghai Masters fit into the ATP Tour?
It is one of the nine ATP Masters 1000 events, which rank just below the Grand Slams in terms of points and prestige. It is a key stop for players aiming to qualify for the ATP Finals during the final stretch of the year.
9. Is the tournament broadcast globally?
Yes, the Rolex Shanghai Masters is broadcast in over 100 countries. Similar to other 100 series events, it has a global viewership in the tens of millions. It holds true international significance.
10. What is special about the venue?The marvel of engineering that is the Qizhong Arena roof takes only 8 minutes to open or close, allowing matches to continue during rain.
