The Masters in Shanghai has a surprising final line-up! Who’s getting into the form of their lives and what has Shelton impressed with?

Asia’s most valuable tournament has reached its final stage. The last two tennis players remain in contention for the title. Bulgaria’s Dimitrov has made his presence felt. Why won’t he forget the Asian tour? And what were the moments that made the American Shelton stand out?

The Shanghai tournament is the only Masters in Asia, and the Chinese leg of the tour culminates here. That’s also why there was some great competition, but the biggest favourites finished unexpectedly early.

The upstart German Zverev retired in the second round. Tournament runner-up Medvedev finished off Korda’s racket in his second match of the tournament.

But the biggest surprises came from the players of the upcoming generation. Neither Italy’s Sinner nor the tournament’s number one Alcaraz broke the barrier in the name of the eighth round.

The space cleared by the biggest favourites was occupied by other players. In the first place we must mention Bulgarian Dimitrov.

Dimitrov’s spiritual and performance growth

Experienced Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov is a former number three player. Although this ranking is already music of the distant past for him, this season of the thirty-two-year-old Bulgarian is definitely worth paying attention to.

In China, Dimitrov has made his presence felt, adding a semi-final appearance in the continent’s biggest event after a semi-final in Chengdu and a quarter-final in Beijing.

What’s more, he also won the valuable scalp of world number two Alcaraz. Some of his shots against the biggest favourite in Shanghai are definitely worth watching.

But the Bulgarian himself is even more appreciative of the different dimension of his Chinese ride. He doesn’t hesitate to compare a month in China to a spiritual experience.

He has experienced this on various levels, both on and off the court. Something he says he has never experienced before.

Dimitrov’s journey through the prestigious tournament ended only in the semi-finals against Russia’s Rublyov. It’s the first time in six months that he’s had such a valuable final. The name of his opponent for the last match in Shanghai is even more surprising.

The other finalist

Hubert Hurkacz of Poland will face Rubljov in the final. The 26-year-old knows what it’s like to triumph at the Masters, he did it in 2021 in Miami.

This year, the Pole won a smaller event in Marseilles, but now he has the opportunity to equal his lifetime achievement from Florida the year before. What is certain is that he will be knocking on the door of the ATP elite ten after this weekend.

Ben Shelton

The twenty-one-year-old American has brought a fresh wind to the ATP circuit. His performances are definitely a promise for American tennis. However, Shelton also stirred up the action with his winning gesture.

In Shanghai he could enjoy it three times, Shelton’s tenure at the tournament was ended in the quarterfinals by his compatriot Korda. Shelton is now ranked 19th on the ATP. The only younger players above him are Alcaraz and Rune.

Sources: ATP, Twitter/X, France 24