Daniel Altmaier plays carefree against world number two Jannik Sinner at the ATP Masters in Shanghai, but remains without a real chance.
Professional tennis player Daniel Altmaier was only able to annoy world number two Jannik Sinner at times during the ATP Masters in Shanghai.
The 27-year-old from Kempen lost 3-6, 3-6 to the defending champion in the second round, with Sinner ultimately unimpressed by the German’s cheeky performance and winning without any problems.
In unpleasant conditions with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius and extremely high humidity, Altmaier tried different tactics. The world number 49 repeatedly surprised the favorite at the net and also scored some spectacular points from the baseline.
Sinner expected a tough challenge against Altmaier
But that didn’t faze Sinner.
The match against the German number two would be a “very, very difficult and tough challenge” for him, the Italian had said before the match: “You never know what will happen.” And that’s why Sinner remained highly focused, even though he made a few mistakes.
In the end, the four-time Grand Slam winner played confidently to secure victory. At the $9.2 million tournament in China, he will now face Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in the third round.
Zverev now faces a Frenchman
Altmaier was the first of the three Germans in Shanghai to be eliminated, with Yannick Hanfmann and Alexander Zverev advancing to the third round.
Hanfmann, from Karlsruhe, will face 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic, while Zverev, from Hamburg, will face Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.
