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The Biggest Storylines to Watch at the Shanghai Masters 2026

The 2026 Rolex Shanghai Masters kicks off this week at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, marking its 15th edition with a tournament draw reshaped by a major injury. World No.

1 Jannik Sinner’s season has ended abruptly after withdrawing due to a persistent knee issue, leaving him sidelined since his Wimbledon triumph over Alexander Zverev in July. His absence clears the path for rivals like Zverev, now the top seed in Shanghai, who sits just behind Sinner in the rankings and could capitalize on the opportunity to claim his first Masters 1000 title and a shot at the year-end No.

1 ranking. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz returns to action after a five-month layoff, competing in his first Masters 1000 since April, with a strong run at the US Open and a recent Japan Open title bolstering his confidence as the No.

2 seed. With Sinner out for the remainder of 2026, Novak Djokovic also enters the tournament as a dark horse, aiming to extend his late-season dominance and secure a spot at the ATP Finals.

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