(Shanghai) Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner showed no signs of fatigue from their final at the China Open earlier in the week securing quick wins in their first matches Saturday at the Shanghai Masters.
No. 2 Alcaraz, who beat the Italian in Beijing on Wednesday for his fourth title of the year, scored a 10e win in a row by winning 6-2 and 6-2 against the Chinese Shang Juncheng, who is only 19 years old.
The 21-year-old Spaniard won the first nine points of the match and obtained all four breaks of the match.
In the third round, he will face another Chinese player, Wu Yibing.
“I’m not used to playing against people younger than me,” Alcaraz said. He’s been playing good tennis lately, he earned his first ATP title [à Chengdu]. I’m pretty sure he’ll climb the rankings. I’m just happy to be able to win this kind of match. »
The favorite Sinner won 6-1, 6-4 against the Japanese Taro Daniel, scoring a 250e career victory.
PHOTO HECTOR RETAMAL, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Jannik Sinner
Champion in New York last month (and in Melbourne in January), Sinner collected 12 aces and 38 winners.
He will then face Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Novak Djokovic, fourth in the world, defeated Alex Michelsen 7-6 (3), 7-6 (9).
The Serbian won despite three double faults on his part and 10 aces from the American, ranked 43e in the world.