Stefanos Tsitsipas prepares for Shanghai Masters opener

Stefanos Tsitsipas, currently ranked 43rd, is set to compete in the Shanghai Masters tournament. In the first round, the 28-year-old Greek tennis player will face 32-year-old Belgian qualifier Kimmer Coppejans, who is ranked 232nd in the world. Reports regarding the match time vary, with one source stating a start time of 05:00 and another reporting 07:00 Cyprus time on Thursday, October 8, 2026.

This tournament represents a crucial opportunity for Tsitsipas to improve his ranking and regain psychological momentum following an early exit in the round of 16 at the Japan Open, where he lost to Valentin Vacherot. Coppejans enters the match with momentum after securing two victories in the qualifying rounds, including a win over Dane Sweeny. The two players have never faced each other previously.

If Tsitsipas advances, he is projected to face Italian player Luciano Darderi in the next round. The tournament bracket further indicates potential future matches against Daniil Medvedev and a possible quarter-final encounter with Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed of the event.