Alex de Minaur beat Japan’s Rei Sakamoto 7-6(6), 6-4 in the Rolex Shanghai Masters round of 32 on Sunday, advancing to the last 16 after a first-set tiebreak on Grandstand 2.
According to the official ATP Tour Shanghai results and Tennis.com, the ninth seed closed out the qualifier in straight sets in one hour and 34 minutes. Tennis.com lists the match as completed.
Tiebreak first set, then control
De Minaur took the opening set 7-6(6) before winning the second 6-4. Match stats on Tennis.com showed the Australian winning 92% of first-serve points (35 of 38) and saving both break points he faced, while converting his only break chance.
Sakamoto, ranked No. 137, had upset Andrey Rublev in the round of 64 on Friday. De Minaur entered the round of 32 via walkover after Alex Molcan withdrew earlier in the week.
Read more: Alex de Minaur Gets Best-Case Shanghai Scans, Faces Sakamoto Sunday
Back on court after Beijing retirement
The win is de Minaur’s first completed singles match since he retired injured in the China Open final against Novak Djokovic. He had told tennis.com.au on Saturday that Shanghai adductor scans were a best-case result and that he was taking it day by day.
Read more: Alex de Minaur Retires Injured in China Open Final
Last 16 next
De Minaur moves into the Shanghai round of 16 as he continues his push through the Asian swing and the race to the ATP Finals in Turin. Round-of-16 details will be confirmed on the ATP order of play.
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