India, Oct. 6 -- Jannik Sinner's quest to defend his Shanghai Masters crown came to a heartbreaking conclusion on Sunday evening when the Italian was forced to retire during his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor. The world number 2 was trailing 6-7(3), 7-5, 3-2 when severe cramping in his right thigh forced him to stop. He required assistance to leave the court after 2 hours and 36 minutes of grueling tennis.

Sinner appeared to struggle from late in the second set, rushing to place ice towels around his neck at the changeover before the start of the third. The cramping became so acute that the Italian could barely stand, forcing him to withdraw after suffering a break of serve in the deciding set.

What made the retirement part...