Fritz and Dimitrov finally progress at the rainy Shanghai Masters

SHANGHAI – Two days after the start, seventh-placed Taylor Fritz and tenth-placed Grigor Dimitrov were finally able to play their second-round matches at the Shanghai Masters on Monday.

Fritz, the US Open finalist, was leading 4-3 in the opening set against France's Terence Atmane when rain halted play at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena on Saturday, then wiped out all outdoor court play until Monday.

The 26-year-old American needed two tiebreaks to defeat 161st-ranked Atmane 7-6 (4) and 7-6 (5), with only one break of serve in the 122-minute match. Fritz will face Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki in the third round.

Dimitrov, playing in his 100th Masters event, started Monday with a one-set lead but suffered a break in the second game against Zizou Bergs.

The 73rd-ranked Belgian converted his lead to take the second set before Dimitrov responded with a triple break from Bergs – losing one of his own service games – and taking the game 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 decided.

The 33-year-old Bulgarian will face Australian Alexei Popyrin in the third round.

Also, US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe defeated Zhou Yi of China 6-2, 6-4, while Tallon Griekspoor defeated 26th seed Jordan Thompson 6-3, 6-2 and Roman Safiullin won 6-4, 6:2 victory over Alexander Bublik from Kazakhstan.

Later Monday, 16th-seeded Ben Shelton will face Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain in a third-round match. The winner will face leader Jannik Sinner in the fourth round.

Wuhan open

12th-seeded Beatriz Haddad-Maia defeated Madison Keys of the USA 7-6 (7), 6-2 in the opening game of the Wuhan Open.

The Brazilian, who won the Seoul Open for her fourth career title last month, converted five of her eight break point chances – three of 12 keys – to advance in 128 minutes at the tournament in China.

Former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez of Canada beat 12th seed Diana Shnaider 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-3.

Rain in Wuhan meant that play on the outdoor courts was interrupted.

The eight top seeds, including second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka and China Open champion Coco Gauff, received a bye in the first round.

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AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis