Sinner and Alcaraz win opening games at the Shanghai Masters

Italy's world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Spanish rival Carlos Alcaraz both claimed comfortable victories in their opening matches at the Shanghai Masters – just three days after they played a dramatic China Open final.

The 23-year-old Sinner bounced back from the loss to Alcaraz in Beijing to claim a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Japan's Taro Daniel at the ATP 1,000 event.

The top seed needed just an hour and 17 minutes to secure his place in the third round, following a similarly destructive performance from third seed Alcaraz, who lost a minute in his 6-2, 6-2 win over China's Shang Juncheng there was less on the pitch.

It was the 10th win in a row for the 21-year-old. His China Open title followed victories for Team Europe at the Laver Cup in September.

“I've been playing really good tennis lately and I'm just trying to keep that up,” said four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who has won four titles on the ATP Tour this year.

He next faces Chinese number 560 Yibing Wu, while Sinner faces 37th-ranked Martin Etcheverry in the third round after the Argentine beat Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 7 :5 had defeated. At three hours and 43 minutes, it was the longest game in the tournament's history.

Elsewhere, number six seeded Russian Andrey Rublev lost 6:7 (7:9), 6:4, 6:3 to Czech Jakub Mensik.

Novak Djokovic will be in action against 20-year-old American Alex Michelsen later on Saturday as the four-time Shanghai Masters winner aims for his 100th tour-level title.