Jannik Sinner went into the Shanghai round of 16 at full throttle. © www.picturedesk.com / HECTOR RETAMAL

Final stop Shanghai: The Sinner Express has stopped

First the successful run through the entire tournament in Beijing, then two wins in a row in Shanghai. Jannik Sinner offered the very best tennis on his trip to Asia. Until a super talent from the USA stood in his way this Tuesday.

10 October 2023

By: Alexander Foppa

The Shanghai Transrapid is one of the fastest means of transport in the world, with speeds of up to 460 km/h. It is not known whether Sinner used this on his way from the airport to the center of the Chinese metropolis. In any case, his rapid journey at the Chinese ATP tournaments was reminiscent of that of the Transrapid. This journey now came to an abrupt end. Birthday boy Ben Shalton, who turned 21 on Monday, defeated Sinner 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5).

Sinner initially drove the express train at hellish speed in the round of 20, overrunning Shelton at times, but then he was slowed down badly. His rival, who was a year younger and reached the semi-finals of the US Open and had already moved up to XNUMXth place in the world rankings, put the brakes on with his brutal physicality.

Speed ​​is lost

Everything Sinner had done right in the first sentence suddenly went wrong. He could hardly push his opponent onto the defensive anymore, appeared weak and unsure when hitting forehands. He gave up his first serve game of the second round with four errors to zero. Shelton became more courageous, went to work really powerfully and confidently won the second section.

Afterwards, a thrilling, now also high-class duel developed at eye level. Sinner again found the necessary means - i.e. the placed, long balls - to keep Shelton in check. The third set began with an endless game in which Sinner fended off five break points. Afterwards, both opponents carried out their service one after the other. So the decision had to be made in a tiebreak. Shelton quickly led 4-0, but Sinner fought back and even took the lead 5-4. But then came Shelton's next, final power attack, which brought the end to this spectacular game after exactly two and a half hours.

Bitter ATP anniversary

For Sinner, this defeat has a particularly bitter aftertaste, as it was his 250th game on the ATP tour. His record: 177 wins, 73 defeats. Meanwhile, Shelton can be happy about the success in the first showdown between the two exceptional talents. He continues on Friday in the quarter-finals against his US compatriot Sebastian Korda.