David Goffin Upsets Ben Shelton at Shanghai Masters, Shakes ATP Finals Race

Novak Djokovic made a strong return at the Shanghai Masters with a straight-sets win over Marin Cilic as he aims for a fifth Shanghai title, despite initial struggles with humid conditions. Meanwhile, sixth seed Ben Shelton, returning from a left shoulder injury sustained at the US Open, was upset in the second round by veteran David Goffin, who capitalized on Shelton's inconsistency and 22 unforced errors to win 6-2, 6-4. Shelton's loss hampers his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin, where he had been well-positioned before the tournament. Goffin, ranked 83rd, demonstrated resilience and tactical intelligence, securing his second top-10 victory over Shelton and advancing to face Gabriel Diallo. Other top seeds like Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner were set to compete later, while top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz withdrew due to minor health issues. The tournament continues to showcase top talents and unexpected outcomes, highlighting the competitive depth of the ATP tour.