Goffin broke Shelton's serve not long after play resumed after a short rain suspension.
Earlier in the week, Shelton said that despite the five-week layoff, he still hoped to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy beginning Nov. 9.
Shelton is currently sixth in the points race for Turin, with eight making the finals. But his loss Friday will put a dent in those ambitions.
“It’s the first time that I’ve put myself in a good position, at this point in the year, to make Turin,” Shelton told the ATP Tour website this week and ahead of his match against Goffin. “Hopefully I get a couple more good results and get over the line."
In another second-round match, American Frances Tiafoe, seeded 25th, lost 6-7 (9), 6-2, 6-1 to Germany's Yannick Hanfmann.
The top-seeded players in Shanghai all received first-round byes. No. 4 Novak Djokovic and fifth-seeded Taylor Fritz were scheduled to play later Friday.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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