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• Alcaraz denied Shanghai reunion with Sinner after stunning Machac win

  Tomas Machac shocked Carlos Alcaraz to tee up a Shanghai Masters semi-final against Jannik Sinner.

  Alcaraz beat Sinner to win the China Open title last week, and a rematch against the world number one looked on the cards with the Spaniard going up against the world number 33.

  Yet Machac had other ideas and prevailed  7-6 (7-5) 7-5 on Thursday.

  It brought up Machac's second win over a top-five opponent, after the Czech defeated Novak Djokovic at the Geneva Open earlier this year, only to lose to Casper Ruud in the final.

  Reflecting on his win, Machac said: "I was playing unbelievable. I knew my level of tennis today would be great because I'm playing the best of my career right now for sure.

  "I beat Tommy Paul [in the] last match with an unbelievable performance. With these kind of players, I have to play at this level. Otherwise, it's 6-2 6-3 and you go home. There's no other option. 

  "I knew that I had a chance [to beat Alcaraz], but you never know, even with a set and 5-4 it's still so far from winning the match. I played great tennis against him in the Davis Cup [in September], but there was this level [for] only one set. Today it was [for] two, so it was enough."

  Data Debrief: Giant killers

  From the round of 16 onwards, two players ranked outside the ATP's top 20 (David Goffin and Machac) have claimed top five wins at the Shanghai Masters for the first time in the event's history.

  Since the inaugural event in 2009, meanwhile, Machac is now the fifth player ranked outside the ATP's top 30 to reach the last four at the Shanghai Masters after Feliciano Lopez, Juan Monaco, Kei Nishikori and Gilles Simon.

• 'I hoped this day would never come' – Federer hails 'incredible' Nadal after retirement call

  Roger Federer led the rush of tributes to his fellow tennis great Rafael Nadal after the Spanish superstar confirmed his upcoming retirement from tennis.

  Nadal will end his remarkable playing career after the Davis Cup Finals, which take place in Malaga in November.

  Only Margaret Court, Novak Djokovic (24 each) and Serena Williams (23) have won more singles grand slam titles than Nadal (22), but the 38-year-old has been plagued by injury in recent seasons.

  Federer retired in 2022 and Nadal’s decision on Thursday comes on the back of Andy Murray calling it a day earlier this year. 

  It means that, of the ‘big four’ that dominated men's tennis for over a decade, only Djokovic now remains.

  "What a career, Rafa!” Swiss great Federer wrote on Instagram. "I always hoped this day would never come.

  "Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It's been an absolute honour!" 

  Federer and Nadal contested 40 matches on the ATP Tour, with Nadal edging the rivalry 24-16. In majors, they met on 14 occasions, with 10 of those seeing the Spaniard emerge triumphant.

  Along with Djokovic and Federer, Nadal is one of only three players in the Open Era to have played and won over 300 men's singles grand slam matches. He bows out with a major record of 314 wins from 358 matches. 

  Nadal has won a record 14 titles at Roland-Garros, with the last of those coming in 2022. He will retire as a four-time US Open champion and a two-time winner at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

  The veteran has not featured in a singles match since he lost to old foe Djokovic at the Paris Olympics in August.

  He confirmed previously that 2024 would likely be his final year on ATP Tour circuit and he has featured in just seven tournaments this season.

  Nadal remarkably reached the Swedish Open final in Bastad, only to lose to Nuno Borges, after competing at the French Open for the final time.

  Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur wrote on X: “Thank you Rafael Nadal for inspiring me and all of us. You will be missed.”

  Nadal’s compatriot Paula Badosa wrote "Gracias Rafa" accompanied by a series of images of the pair representing Spain, while Nick Kyrgios urged Nadal not to retire, saying he wanted to play him one last time.

  There were also warm words from Andy Roddick, while the ATP and each of the four grand slam tournaments posted tributes.

  In one of those, the Australian Open account wrote: "Legendary memories. You are so loved around the world and here with us in Australia. Grateful for all the unforgettable moments. Gracias, Rafa. For everything!"

• Tennis great Nadal confirms retirement

  Rafael Nadal has confirmed his impending retirement from tennis.

  The Spanish superstar will end his remarkable playing career after the Davis Cup Finals, which take place in Malaga in November.

  Only Margaret Court, Novak Djokovic (24 each) and Serena Williams (23) have won more Singles Grand Slam titles than Nadal (22), but he has been plagued by injury in recent seasons.

  In a message released on his official social media channels on Thursday, Nadal said: "I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis.

  "The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially.

  "I don't think I have been able to play without limitations."

  Nadal confirmed previously that 2024 would likely be his final year on ATP Tour circuit and he has featured in just seven tournaments this season.

  He remarkably reached the Swedish Open final in Bastad, only to lose to Nuno Borges, after competing at the French Open for the final time.

  Nadal has won a record 14 titles at Roland-Garros, with the last of those coming in 2022.

  He will retire as a four-time US Open champion and a two-time winner at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

  Nadal has not featured in a singles match since he lost to old foe Djokovic at the Paris Olympics in August.

  Along with Djokovic and Roger Federer, Nadal is one of only three players in the Open Era to have played and won over 300 men's singles Grand Slam matches. Nadal bows out with a major record of 314 wins from 358 matches. 

  His retirement, which comes on the back of Andy Murray calling it a day earlier this year, means that, of the "big four" that dominated men's tennis for over a decade, only Djokovic now remains.