Shanghai Rolex Masters
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Dominic Thiem: According to Thiem, this will be “mega difficult.” That’s probably an understatement considering Djokovic’s record in Asia. Djokovic in 2.
Vasek Pospisil vs. (14) Roberto Bautista Agut: If Djokovic-Thiem is 95 percent in the Serb’s favor (in Thiem’s words), Pospisil vs. RBA may be the most 50-50 match of the entire day. RBA dominated 6-2, 6-2 this spring in Monte-Carlo, but that was on clay when Pospisil was a shadow of what he is now. Pospisil in 3.
(11) Andy Murray vs. Jerzy Janowicz: Speaking of rematches, Murray overcame Janowicz 6-7(9), 6-4, 6-2 last week in Beijing. This one won’t be as competitive, in part because Janowicz had only two double-faults in three sets vs. Edouard Roger-Vasselin on Tuesday and is thus due for about 15 vs. Murray. Murray in 2.
(3) Roger Federer vs. Leonardo Mayer: Mayer got to play a Chinese wild card in the first round. This is where the Argentine’s favorable draw ends. Federer in 2.
Gilles Simon vs. (4) Stan Wawrinka: Wawrinka lost his Tokyo opener to Tatsuma Ito in straight sets. Simon lost one game in his last two sets against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on Tuesday. Sound the upset alert. Simon in 3.
(WC) Chuhan Wang vs. (Q) Malek Jaziri: It is always tough to turn in a repeat performance immediately following a career-defining win. And yes, for someone ranked 553rd in the world, beating Fognini is a career-defining win. Jaziri in 2.
(6) Tomas Berdych vs. Richard Gasquet: Gasquet destroyed Berdych 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 last month in Davis Cup. But that came in France and on clay. This one is not in France and not on clay. Berych in 2.
Jack Sock vs. (7) Kei Nishikori: At 100 percent, Nishikori would obviously win this one–especially in Asia. But he has reached three straight finals, finishing runner-up at the U.S. Open and winning both Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo. That’s too much tennis for someone so fragile. Sock in 3.
(10) Grigor Dimitrov vs. Julien Benneteau: If a Benneteau title watch can ever be called “off” following a win, it’s when he beats a Chinese wild card in three sets in a loaded Masters 1000 draw. Facing Dimitrov doesn’t help. Dimitrov in 2.
(8) Milos Raonic vs. (WC) Juan Monaco: This was a great matchup in 2012, back when Monaco was near if not in his prime and Raonic was not yet in his (the Argentine won a five-setter at the U.S. Open). Now it is an absolute mismatch. Raonic in 2.
Feliciano Lopez vs. (2) Rafael Nadal: As if he didn’t already have enough problems, Nadal has appendicitis and arguably should not even be playing. If he does take the court, this is a great opportunity for Lopez–already a two-time Shanghai semifinalist. Lopez in 3.
Ivan Dodig vs. Mikhail Youzhny: Dodig and Youzhny are a combined 27-39 at the ATP level this season. Out of pretty much nowhere, one will be in the third round of a Masters 1000 event. Dodig in 3.
(13) John Isner vs. Steve Johnson: Their only previous encounter went to a third-set tiebreaker. It would be borderline surprising if this one does not. It would be surprising if Isner loses two straight third-set ‘breakers to the same opponent. Isner in 3.
(SE) Martin Klizan vs. (5) David Ferrer: If Klizan beat Nadal, he will beat Ferrer–right? Well, not when you consider Nadal’s current state and the current time of year. This won’t be easy, but Ferrer is starving for a win and anything else is not an option if the Spaniard wants a London spot. Ferrer in 3.
Take Our Poll
Take Our Poll
