Jannik Sinner forced to retire from Shanghai Masters after Italian left limping off court against Tallon Griekspoor

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World No. 2 Jannik Sinner was forced to withdraw from his Shanghai Masters clash against Tallon Griekspoor, with the Italian needing assistance to walk off the court in China, which has featured brutally humid conditions. The defending champion suffered cramps in his right leg in the second set before eventually retiring in the deciding third set, barely being unable to walk between points.

Sinner forced to retire in Shanghai as Griekspoor gets the walkover and moves forward

Video credit: SNTV

Jannik Sinner was forced to withdraw from the Shanghai Masters after retiring from his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor.

The defending champion attempted to shake off cramps throughout the match which was played in "brutal conditions", but had to stop in the third set as Griekspoor led 6-7(3) 7-5 3-2.

Sinner appeared to injure his right leg in the second set, which allowed Griekspoor to take advantage and pull level after losing the opening set.

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The Wimbledon champion attempted to recover in the third set, but was forced to take several breaks and could barely walk between points.

Players are not able to take a full medical timeout for cramps, meaning Sinner could only receive a short massage from a physio.

But after a massage he immediately cramped again and was forced to concede, shaking hands with his Dutch opponent before needing help to leave the court.

Griekspoor was sympathetic towards the world No. 2 in his post-match interview, mentioning the harsh conditions that players have contended with this week in Shanghai.

"This is definitely not the way you want to win," said Griekspoor. "Brutal conditions here in Shanghai all week already. I thought we were a little bit lucky to play in the evening without sun, but two hours and 36 minutes on the clock, middle of the third set… I’m sorry for him, I wish him a speedy recovery."

The Dutchman looked to be on his way out in the second set as he fell behind 3-4, 0-40, but held and rallied back to clinch the second set as Sinner's physical condition worsened.

"The first set was high quality from both, very dominant in the service games," added Griekspoor. "I thought he played an unbelievable tie-break. He hit a couple of lines, served really well.

"I got a bit lucky at 3-4 in the second, where I saved 0-40 and served my way out of it. Sometimes you need a little bit of luck to win these matches."

Griekspoor, ranked 31 in the world, will next face Valentin Vacherot, who advanced after Tomas Machac also retired. Belgium's David Goffin retired after three games against Gabriel Diallo, marking three retirements for the day in Shanghai.

Djokovic overcomes Hanfmann in three sets to reach last 16 in Shanghai

Video credit: SNTV

Sinner's withdrawal leaves Novak Djokovic as favourite as the Serb chases a record-extending fifth Shanghai Masters crown.

"I've been saying it before, it’s the same for every player that steps out on the court," Djokovic said.

"It's brutal, it's brutal when you have over 80% humidity day after day. For the guys, particularly playing in the day with heat and sun, it's even more brutal. It is what it is; you just have to deal with it.

"For me, biologically, it's a bit more challenging to deal with it, but I had to really weather the storm today. Yannick played an incredible match from the beginning."

Djokovic, who lost to Sinner in last year's final, faces Spanish competitor Jaume Munar in the round of 16.

For Sinner, withdrawing from Shanghai is a huge blow to his chances of finishing the year as world No. 1, and all but confirms Carlos Alcaraz, who is not competing in China due to an injury sustained at the Japan Open, will finish top of the ATP rankings.

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