The champion fell: Shanghai will have a new king

Shanghai earned a place on the international ATP calendar as the venue for the ATP Finals, the final Masters of the season, from 2005 to 2008. The facility continues to host a relevant competition, now with the Masters 1000 category, which debuted in 2009 with victory for the Russian Nikolay Davydenkowhich surprised Rafa Nadal.

The first sign that Spanish tennis was going to have a hard time conquering this Chinese city. They also lost their respective finals David Ferrer, in 2011, and Roberto Bautista, in 2016. Nor was it worth Rafa Nadal’s second attempt, beaten in 2017.

There have been no more Spanish chances since then, the drought may continue in the current edition if they do not remedy it Rafa Jódar and Alejandro Davidovichclassified for the round of 16, a tie that did not reach Carlos Alcaraz, beaten by the Belgian Zizou Bergs.

On the last day of the third round, this Sunday, the current champion, the Monegasque, fell Valentin Vacherotsurprising dominator of 2025 from the previous phase. It will lose eighteen places in the ranking, falling to 32nd place.

There will be a new king of Shanghai in his place, although two players remain in the group of sixteen survivors who could repeat in the list of winners: the Russian Daniil Medvedevthe best of 2019, just before the Covid break, from 2020 to 2022, and the Polish Hubert Hurkaczwhich triumphed in 2025.

The Italian Jannik Sinnerwinner in 2024, dropped, the Serbian Novak Djokovicfour-time champion (2012-13, 2015 and 2018), fell in his debut against Hubert Hurkacz.

The first seed, the German Alexander Zverevwho is assured of being the new world number 1 and the one who closes the year as leader, made the final in 2019. In the round of 16 he meets the Kazakh Alexander Bublik. Also this Tuesday, duel Alexander Davidovich with Hurkacz.

The turn of Rafa Jodar It will be part of Wednesday’s program. Opposite, the Dutch ‘giant killer’ Botic Van by Zandschulp. The Madrid native could get fully into the bidding for a ticket to the ATP Finals if he continues to advance in his debut in Shanghai.