Qualifier Sakamoto Stuns 2023 Finalist Rublev in Shanghai Shocker

The Shanghai Masters has its latest giant-killing. Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto, ranked 137th in the world, stunned former finalist Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-4 on Friday to march into the third round of the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

The 20-year-old announced himself in style on Court 3, breaking Rublev in the very first game of the match and never looking back. Sakamoto held his nerve superbly throughout the one-hour-22-minute contest, saving both break points he faced and winning 77 percent of his first-serve points against an opponent with 18 tour-level titles to his name.

Rublev, the world No. 23, reached the Shanghai final in 2023 and won the Nordea Open earlier this year, but he had no answer to the qualifier's fearless ball-striking. After sealing the opening set in 35 minutes, Sakamoto struck again at 4-4 in the second before serving out the biggest win of his young career.

It continues a week of upheaval in Shanghai, following Hubert Hurkacz's dismissal of Novak Djokovic and wildcard Yi Zhou's defeat of Lorenzo Musetti. Sakamoto's reward is a third-round meeting with Alex de Minaur, who advanced via walkover against Alex Molcan. On this evidence, the Australian will take nothing for granted.