World number 2 Jannik Sinner beat Daniel Altmeier 6-3 6-3 in 1 hour and 38 minutes at the Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena to set up a third round match with Tallon Griekspoor. He holds a 6-0 record in his head-to-head matches against his Dutch opponent.
Sinner faced Altmeier for the first time since his defeat to his German rival at the 2023 Roland Garros.
Sinner won 43% of his return points and converted three of his four break points. Altmeier hit 22 winners to 18 unforced errors.
Sinner broke serve with deep return in the third game to take a 2-1 lead. The world number 2 player hit a service winner in the fourth game to open up a 3-1 lead. Altmeier held at 15 in the seventh game to reduce the gap to 3-4. The German player earned two break points in the eighth game. Sinner held serve with an ace to open up a 5-3 lead. Altmeier served to stay in the set in the ninth game. Sinner broke serve to close out the first set 6-3 after 44 minutes as Altmeier netted a backhand.
Sinner broke serve in the second game of the second set, as Altmeier made a backhand error. The 2025 Australian Open and Wimbledon champion held at love in the third game with a service winner.
Altmeier held serve after three deuces in the fourth game. Sinner hit a smash winner in the fifth game to open up a 4-1 lead. Altmeier saved a break point in the sixth game to hold serve for 2-4.
Sinner held in the seventh game after a deuce to take a 5-2 lead and served out the win on his first match point in the ninth game.
Sinner is aiming to become the first player to successfully defend the Shanghai title since Novak Djokovic in 2013.
Sinner has improved his record his record in Chinese tournaments to 23-2. He won three titles in China in Beijing in 2023 and 2025 and Shanghai in 2024.
“I knew before the match it was going to be very difficult today. I didn’t have a lot of time to adapt here, but it makes it even more special. Every day, every opponent is very difficult, it’s a huge challenge. So I’m very happy to come through today and hopefully I’m able to raise my level tomorrow”, said Sinner.
