Djokovic returns, Sinner & Alcaraz lead the way in Shanghai: Scouting Report

The best players in the world are ready to take on the ATP Masters 1000 event of the Asian Swing, the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz lead the way, while all eyes will be on Novak Djokovic's return to tournament action. ATPTour.com looks at 10 things to watch in Shanghai.

1) Djokovic back in action: The Serbian, who played one Davis Cup match the week after the US Open, is playing his first tournament since the season’s final major, where he suffered a stunning third-round exit. Djokovic is a four-time champion in Shanghai, where he will try to climb into a Nitto ATP Finals qualifying position. The ninth-placed player in the PIF ATP Live Race will take on Buyunchaokete or #NextGenATP American Alex Michelsen in his opening match.

2) Sinner surging: The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings has found a hot stretch of form, winning the Cincinnati Open, US Open and reaching the final in Beijing, where he will face Alcaraz. With six titles to his name this year, the Italian will try to add a Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 crown to his resume. Sinner will open against Taro Daniel or a qualifier. He could face Medvedev, Alcaraz and Djokovic during his run.

3) Alcaraz in form: The Spaniard has won two major titles this year at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and shows no signs of slowing down. But the 21-year-old will need to be sharp from the start in Shanghai, where he debuted last year. Alcaraz will play a #NextGenATP opponent, Shang Juncheng or Coleman Wong, in the second round.

4) Medvedev former champ: Before the Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of three consecutive editions of the Rolex Shanghai Masters, Medvedev lifted the trophy in 2019. The fifth seed has not yet won a title this season, but will keen to change that in China. He will play Thiago Seyboth Wild or a qualifier in the second round.

5) Chinese stars: Chinese men’s tennis is thriving more than ever. Zhang Zhizhen reached a career-high World No. 31 in July, Shang Juncheng claimed his first ATP Tour title just more than a week ago in Chengdu and Buyunchaokete is playing the best tennis of his life, having made his first tour-level semi-final in Hangzhou and another semi-final in Beijing. Wu Yibing, who became the first Chinese ATP Tour singles champion last year in Dallas, and Zhou Yi will also be in action.

6) Fils headlines #NextGenATP stars competing: Arthur Fils is the first-placed player in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah and he brings momentum to Shanghai after claiming the title in Tokyo. The Frenchman plays Roberto Bautista Agut or Roberto Carballes Baena in the second round. Other #NextGenATP players to watch include Shang, Michelsen and Jakub Mensik, who begins his tournament against Pedro Martinez.

7) PIF ATP Live Race To Turin: Medvedev is next in line to qualify for the season finale, with Sinner, Alcaraz and Zverev already locked into a Turin spot. Behind Medvedev are fifth seed Taylor Fritz, sixth seed Casper Ruud and seventh seed Andrey Rublev, the 2023 Shanghai finalist, who will all try to consolidate their standing. Eighth-placed Alex de Minaur is out with injury, opening the door for the likes of Djokovic to shake up the Live Race.

8) Nishikori, Wawrinka among wild cards: Former Top 5 stars Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka are among the wild cards at the season’s eighth Masters 1000 event. Nishikori made the semi-finals in 2011 and Wawrinka is a two-time Shanghai quarter-finalist. Wong, Wu and Zhou are the other three singles wild cards.

9) Other players to watch: There are plenty of other players who will bring momentum to the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Sixteenth seed Humbert reached the final in Tokyo and will play Arthur Cazaux or Marin Cilic in the second round. Cilic just won a title in Hangzhou. Thirtieth seed Tomas Machac has been enjoying the best season of his career and just made the semi-finals in Tokyo. Ninth seed Grigor Dimitrov is trying to work his way into contention for a place at the Nitto ATP Finals, the event he won in 2017.

10) Tsitsipas Brothers, Fils/Shelton playing doubles: Marcel Granollers/Horacio Zeballos and Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic are the top two seeds in the doubles draws, but there will be no shortage of interesting teams to watch. Stefanos Tsitsipas is competing with his brother, Petros Tsitsipas, Fils is partnering Ben Shelton, Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev are playing together as are Alexander Bublik and Frances Tiafoe.

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