The ninth-seeded Australian was handed a walkover when his opponent, Alex Molcan, retired with an undisclosed ailment on Friday.
It is somewhat ironic de Minaur advanced in this fashion, after the Aussie had to retire with an adductor injury in the China Open final against Novak Djokovic on Tuesday.
De Minaur advanced to a round-of-32 clash against Japan's world No.137 Rei Sakamoto, who stunned Russian Andrey Rublev, a former top-10 player, 6-4 6-4 on Friday.
The Australian, widely known as "the Demon", is looking to qualify for the elite eight-man ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, for a third straight year after making the semi-finals in 2025.
His task might just have got a bit easier with the unexpected downfall of Djokovic, who had arrived in Shanghai on the back of the 102nd title win of his illustrious career at the China Open.
The 39-year-old was knocked out in his first match in Shanghai as 2023 champion Hurkacz wrapped up a 6-4 6-3 win in 87 minutes.
The Pole, himself entering Shanghai in some form having reached the final in Chengdu two weeks ago, survived two break points in the third game of the match before his power and accuracy helped him to a relatively straightforward win.
Meanwhile US Open runner-up Ben Shelton celebrated his 24th birthday by advancing to the third round with a 6-3 7-6 (8-6) win over Germany's Daniel Altmaier.
The American played Davis Cup after the US Open, losing both his singles matches, after withdrawing from the Laver Cup teams event.
Top-seeded Alexander Zverev, who beat Shelton in the final in four sets at Flushing Meadows, beat Chinese wildcard entry Wu Yibing 6-4 7-6 (7-4) on Friday.
- with AAP
15°C