Day 5 of the 2025 Shanghai Masters delivered a tennis spectacle packed with upsets, tight battles, and plenty of drama as the world’s top players continued their quest for Masters 1000 glory. The Qi Zhong Tennis Center in Shanghai was abuzz on October 4, with third-round matches featuring big names like Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune, and Felix Auger-Aliassime, while a handful of underdogs seized their moments in the spotlight. The action was relentless, the stakes high, and the storylines as intriguing as ever.
Perhaps the most anticipated match of the day was the showdown between #5 seed Taylor Fritz and the towering Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Fritz, coming off a heart-stopping win over Fabian Marozsan in the previous round, looked to solidify his place among the tournament favorites. Their only prior meeting had seen Perricard take a two-set lead at Wimbledon, only for Fritz to storm back—an encounter that hinted at the unpredictable nature of their rivalry. But this time, the slower hard courts of Shanghai were expected to play to Fritz’s strengths, offering him more time to construct points and return Perricard’s booming serves.
Fritz entered the match with a sparkling 42-16 record for the year and two titles already under his belt. His second-round escape against Marozsan was nothing short of a thriller—Fritz rallied from a set down to edge the Hungarian 2-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(1), showcasing his trademark resilience and ice-cold nerves in the clutch. According to USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire, Fritz was listed at +400 to win the entire tournament, second only to the red-hot Jannik Sinner, underlining just how much confidence the oddsmakers had in the American’s form. Marozsan, for his part, had put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell short, extending his season record to 22-20 without a tournament win.
The courts in Shanghai this year have been playing noticeably slower than in previous editions—a factor that many analysts believe could tip the balance in Fritz’s favor. "The courts are playing a lot slower this year at the Shanghai Masters, giving Fritz enough time to put more balls in return and put pressure," noted one observer. With his baseline consistency and ability to absorb pace, Fritz was poised to capitalize on these conditions against Perricard, who thrives on faster surfaces.
Elsewhere in the draw, the day featured a host of compelling third-round matchups. Yoshihito Nishioka, fresh off a stunning upset of former finalist Andrey Rublev, faced off against Jaume Munar. Nishioka’s season had been a struggle, but his comeback win over Rublev—where he dropped the first set before rallying for victory—was a massive confidence boost. Munar, on the other hand, continued his breakout hard-court campaign with a demolition of Flavio Cobolli in the second round. With their head-to-head locked at 1-1 coming in, this contest promised to be a close, tactical affair, and fans were eager to see if Nishioka’s newfound momentum would carry him through.
Meanwhile, Tomas Machac and Valentin Vacherot were set for their first career meeting. Machac, who has dazzled with his shot-making all week, breezed past Mattia Bellucci in the second round. His form has been so impressive that some pundits believe he could be the tournament’s dark horse. Vacherot, though, was not to be underestimated. After battling through qualifying and notching a gritty upset over the in-form Alexander Bublik, Vacherot’s confidence was sky-high. His serve has been particularly effective, and if he could maintain that level, Machac would have his hands full.
Holger Rune, another name to watch, faced Ugo Humbert in a matchup that favored the Dane on paper. Rune owned a 4-0 record against Humbert heading into the contest, and his straight-sets win over Sebastian Baez in round two suggested he was locked in. Humbert, for his part, snapped a three-match losing streak with a much-needed victory over Jordan Thompson. While Humbert’s serve was firing, history made Rune the clear favorite—he had dropped just one set in their previous four encounters.
One of the day’s standout performances came from Felix Auger-Aliassime, who dispatched Alejandro Tabilo 6-3, 6-3 to reach the third round. This marked the Canadian’s best run at the Shanghai Masters, having never advanced past the second round in previous years. The win netted him $25,140 in prize money, bringing his total earnings at the event to $60,400. Should he continue his run, Auger-Aliassime stands to add another $42,825, a testament to both his improved form and the lucrative rewards on offer in Shanghai.
The tournament also saw its share of high-profile exits. Ninth seed Karen Khachanov and 13th seed Andrey Rublev were both ousted on October 4, shaking up the draw and opening doors for lower-seeded players. Jakub Mensik, the 17th seed and reigning Miami Open champion, also bowed out, leaving the tournament wide open for new faces to make deep runs.
On the flip side, established stars like third seed Alexander Zverev and former champion Daniil Medvedev advanced with solid second-round wins. Defending champion Jannik Sinner, along with Denis Shapovalov, also moved on, keeping their title hopes alive. The bottom half of the draw looked particularly stacked, with several mouthwatering third-round clashes on the horizon for Day 7.
Looking at the numbers, the betting odds reflected the tournament’s unpredictability. Jannik Sinner was the clear favorite at -220, with Fritz at +400, Bublik at +800, Rune at +1200, and Machac at +2200. These odds not only highlighted the top contenders but also hinted at the possibility of a breakthrough from an outsider—something that’s always in play at a Masters 1000 event.
As the dust settled on Day 5, fans were left buzzing about the quality of tennis and the surprises that had already unfolded. With the third round set to continue and the likes of Fritz, Rune, and Auger-Aliassime still in the hunt, the 2025 Shanghai Masters looked poised for more fireworks. Could the slower courts continue to play a pivotal role? Would another underdog emerge to shake up the established order?
One thing’s for sure: with so many storylines in play and the action heating up, the Shanghai Masters is delivering exactly what tennis fans crave—top-tier battles, unexpected twists, and a stage where the world’s best are pushed to their limits. As the tournament heads into its next phase, all eyes remain fixed on Qi Zhong Tennis Center, where every match could be the start of something unforgettable.
