Rolex Shanghai Masters: 39-year-old Wawrinka makes history as Nishikori advances and top seeds prepare debuts

Desk correction, 4 October 2026: this piece was filed ahead of the calendar. Do not treat any score in it as a result. The sourced desk for 4 October 2026 is the new set of Why Care stories.

Why this one matters

There are afternoons when professional tennis transcends tournament draws and becomes a living museum of sporting greatness. Tuesday at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai was precisely that kind of day.

Playing in his 124th career ATP Masters 1000 main draw at the age of 39 years and six months, Stan Wawrinka produced a spellbinding performance to defeat Russia’s Roman Safiullin 7-5, 7-6(3). With his trademark single-handed backhand firing with laser-like accuracy, the Swiss three-time Grand Slam champion blasted 38 winners past his top-60 opponent. In doing so, Wawrinka became the third-oldest player to win a Masters 1000 match since the series was established in 1990, joining Jimmy Connors and Ivo Karlovic in the record books.

Shortly afterward, former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori followed suit on Grandstand Court. Shaking off rust and dropped first-set blues, the 34-year-old Japanese star ground down Argentina’s Mariano Navone 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to claim his first match win on Chinese soil in six years.

The draw unfolds for the giants

With the opening round concluding across Shanghai’s hard courts, the tournament now transitions to its star-studded second phase:

• Wawrinka’s reward: The Swiss veteran moves into a mouthwatering clash against 28th seed Flavio Cobolli, an explosive Italian youngster whose baseline power will test Wawrinka’s physical recovery.
• Alcaraz’s nine-match streak: Carlos Alcaraz arrived in Shanghai on Monday night following his epic 3h21m Beijing triumph over Jannik Sinner. The world No. 2 took to the practice courts on Tuesday, hitting with intense rhythm alongside coach Juan Carlos Ferrero as he prepares to face home hope Shang Juncheng.
• Sinner’s focused regrouping: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner spent Tuesday in tactical drills, determined to shake off the sting of dropping seven straight points in Sunday’s final-set tiebreak. The Italian headlines the top half alongside Daniil Medvedev.
• Djokovic’s milestone quest: Four-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic, chasing a historic 100th career ATP singles title and his 41st Masters 1000 trophy, opens his campaign on Wednesday against Alex Michelsen.

Asia’s premier tennis stage

As the tournament’s 96-player bracket narrows to 64, the Rolex Shanghai Masters has already delivered timeless drama. With living legends proving their mettle alongside generational icons in their prime, the Qizhong Arena is serving up world-class tennis at every turn.