Jannik Sinner retired on Sunday from the Shanghai Masters after suffering from cramps in his third-round match against the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor, easing the way for Novak Djokovic’s shot at a record-extending fifth title.
The 38-year-old Serb battled through to the L16 with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, despite admitting that he had been ‘hanging by a rope’ early in the match.
It was a sorry end for Sinner, who had been hoping this week to add to his China Open victory.
Meanwhile, Amanda Anisimova beat Linda Noskova 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 to win the China Open for her second title of a breakthrough year and fourth overall.
The third-seeded American survived a second-set wobble to overpower the Czech 26th seed in one hour and 46 minutes in Beijing.