See main article: 2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters. Leander Paes and Radek Štěpánek were the defending champions, but Štěpánek chose not to compete. Paes played alongside Daniel Nestor, but lost in the second round to Robert Lindstedt and Vasek Pospisil.
Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo won the title, defeating David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco in the final, 7–6(7–2), 6–7(6–8), [10–2].
All seeds receive a bye into the second round.