The Shanghai Masters is under way, and a former top-three player is trying to climb back. Stefanos Tsitsipas beat qualifier Kimmer Coppejans 6-3, 7-5 in the first round on Thursday, AP reported in The Washington Post.

Tsitsipas reached a career-high No. 3 ranking in 2021, but he has slipped. He had to win two qualifying matches just to get into last week's Japan Open, where he lost in the second round. At the U.S. Open, he lost in the fourth round to eventual finalist Ben Shelton.

The biggest names start later. Top seed Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic all had first-round byes, the ATP said. The event is the second-to-last Masters 1000 tournament of the season.

Zverev arrives with a Tour-leading 58 wins this season and two Grand Slam titles in 2026, including the U.S. Open, where he beat Shelton in the final. He has never won in Shanghai. He opens against China's Wu Yibing or a qualifier.

Alcaraz is also chasing a first Shanghai title. He won in Tokyo last week, the ATP said. He missed four and a half months this season with a right wrist injury before returning at the U.S. Open.

Djokovic, 39, is the most decorated player in the draw. He has won Shanghai four times, in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018, and has reached at least the semifinals in 10 of his 11 trips. He just won a record seventh title in Beijing, beating Zverev in the quarterfinals there. He opens against 2023 champion Hubert Hurkacz, who fired 19 aces to beat James Duckworth on Thursday, the ATP reported.

There is a wild-card story too. Defending champion Valentin Vacherot won here last year as the world No. 204, the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 champion since 1990. He is drawn to face Alcaraz in the third round.

Players are also fighting for places at the ATP Finals in Turin. Flavio Cobolli, Frances Tiafoe and Arthur Fils are among those trying to lock in a place.

What we know: The main draw started Wednesday, and the top seeds open in the second round.
What we don't: When Djokovic and Alcaraz will play their first matches.