Sinner, Alcaraz advance in Shanghai

MANILA, Philippines — Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz showed why they were top in the world at the Shanghai Masters on Saturday, as they raced into the third round with confident straight-sets wins.

Sinner dispatched Japan’s Taro Daniel, 6-1, 6-4, while earlier in the day Alcaraz made short work of China’s Shang Juncheng, winning, 6-2, 6-2.

Sinner has said he is not in a “comfortable” situation thanks to a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appeal against a decision by tennis authorities to clear him of wrongdoing after he twice tested positive for a steroid in March.

Sinner will face Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Sunday while Alcaraz meets another Chinese player, wildcard Wu Yibing.

Coco Gauff fought back from a set down to reach the China Open final and set up a showdown with party-pooper Karolina Muchova.

Gauff beat Spain’s Paula Badosa, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. The 20-year-old faces Muchova after the 49th-ranked Czech silenced a capacity Beijing crowd to beat bloodied Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, 6-3, 6-4.