Home / Sports / German Underdog Altmaier Eyes Upset Over Defending Champ Sinner in Shanghai
German Underdog Altmaier Eyes Upset Over Defending Champ Sinner in Shanghai
4 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Altmaier, ranked No. 49, has defeated top players like Fritz and Tsitsipas
- Altmaier and Sinner have split their two previous meetings
- Altmaier's one-handed backhand is a key weapon against Sinner
On October 4th, 2025, German player Daniel Altmaier is set to take on defending Rolex Shanghai Masters champion Jannik Sinner in the Italian's opening match of the tournament. Altmaier, currently ranked No. 49 in the PIF ATP Rankings, has built a reputation as a big-game player, having taken down the likes of Taylor Fritz and Stefanos Tsitsipas in recent months.
The 27-year-old German is no stranger to facing off against the top players on tour. In their most recent meeting at Roland Garros earlier this year, Altmaier toppled Sinner, and a year prior, he pushed the World No. 2 to five sets at the US Open. Altmaier believes his versatile one-handed backhand, which allows him to slice, hit flat, and change direction, will be a key weapon against the Italian.
"I see myself that I can play tennis well against everyone on Tour. So that's why I feel like I'm dangerous against those [top] guys," Altmaier told ATPTour.com. "I find my tactic, the way to play, the way to hurt people on the top level. So that's where I'm also aiming to play constantly."
With a 17-23 record so far in 2025, Altmaier is looking to build on his recent consistency and continue his giant-killing ways against the defending champion in Shanghai.