Jannik Sinner started the Shanghai Masters title defense with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Daniel Altmaier in the second round. World no. 2 sealed the deal in an hour and 38minutes, arranging the third-round clash with Tallon Griekspoor.
The Italian claimed the ATP 500 title in Beijing and continued in the same style at the most notable Asian event. The 24-year-old dominated behind the first serve and defended two break points to keep the pressure on the other side.
He stole 43% of the return points and turned them into three breaks to control the scoreboard and move over the top. Daniel hit well and landed 22 winners and 18 unforced errors.
Jannik stood on a 15-19 ratio but outplayed his rival in service winners, from the baseline and at the net.Sinner made a push on the return in the third game of the duel and landed a deep return for a break and a 2-1 advantage.
The Italian hit a service winner in the next one and cemented the lead. Altmaier held at 15 in the seventh game, reducing the gap to 4-3 and generating two break chances in the next one.
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Jannik saved them and held with an ace for 5-3. Daniel served to stay in the set in game nine and netted a backhand, propelling his rival 6-3 in front after 44 minutes.
The German sprayed a backhand error in the second game of the second set, losing serve and propelling the favorite in front. The Italian landed a service winner in the third game, holding at love and moving further ahead.
Altmaier held after deuces in the fourth game before Sinner moved 4-1 in front with a smash winner. Daniel saved a break point in the sixth game and remained within one break deficit.
Jannik held after a deuce in the seventh game, drawing the rival's mistake and moving closer to the top. The defending champion held at 5-3 with a forced error, sealing the deal and moving over the top.
