Jannik Sinner’s Shanghai Masters title defense concluded prematurely on Sunday evening when he was forced to retire during his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor. Sinner was trailing 6-7(3), 7-5, 3-2 when severe cramping in his right thigh incapacitated him. The match had been physically demanding, lasting nearly two and a half hours. Sinner appeared distressed towards the end of the second set, seeking ice towels during changeovers to combat the stifling Shanghai humidity that affected players throughout the week. As the third set progressed, the cramping worsened, preventing Sinner from continuing, ultimately leading to his retirement. The match had been closely contested. Sinner secured the first set in a tense tiebreak, initially taking a 4-0 lead. However, Griekspoor fought back, breaking serve late in the second set to even the score. The sweltering conditions, with humidity exceeding 80 percent, plagued many players. Griekspoor acknowledged the difficult weather, while Novak Djokovic also struggled, visibly vomiting courtside during his match. Sinner’s retirement comes after a strong performance in Beijing, where he reached the final, raising expectations for his Shanghai campaign. His early exit, coupled with Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal, significantly alters the tournament’s landscape, positioning Djokovic as the favorite. Sinner’s focus will now shift towards recovery, with the goal of regaining full fitness as quickly as possible.
