Tuesday at the Shanghai Masters will see both first and second-round action. Who will win and move on? We’re predicting all 14 of the day’s matches four you. You can find five in this article, and the other nine are split between two other sets of predictions. Here are our thoughts on the day’s action.
Shanghai Masters Tuesday Predictions
Zhe Li vs Lucas Pouille
Li is yet another Chinese wild card playing in a Chinese tournament. While these wild cards have done a decent job of acquitting themselves well against superior competition (and they collect a nice paycheck), it’s very clear that players like Li (or Ze Zhang on Monday) just aren’t yet equipped to compete at a level with the top players in a Masters tournament.
Prediction: Pouille in 2
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Alexander Bublik
Auger-Aliassime is supremely talented and will be a top player some day. However, he has struggled since Cincinnati this summer. Bublik, meanwhile, is a quirky player that can frustrate even a seasoned veteran. He also is in top form, reaching the final in Chengdu a few weeks ago and coming through qualifying here in Shanghai. I think the rising Canadian star gets upset here.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
Gael Monfils vs Hubert Hurkacz
Monfils has played well in the Asian Swing since the US Open, though his results don’t really show it. He gets yet another tough draw against the rising Hurkacz, who took out Zhizhen Zhang without too much trouble in the first round. I think Monfils is the better player here, but his frustration with the post-US Open season will continue with another tight loss.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Joao Sousa vs Vasek Pospisil
Pospisil is really enjoying the courts in Shanghai right now. He came through qualifying and easily beat Diego Schwartzman in the first round. This backs up a strong summer, where he upset Karen Khachanov at the US Open. Sousa is also playing well right now, but this indoor hard court suits the Canadian much better.
Prediction: Pospisil in 2
Fabio Fognini vs Andy Murray
The Brit’s comeback continues, slowly but steadily. He is still nowhere near the level he once was, but he’s getting his way back. These things take time. Fognini is a very good player, but the fast indoor surface doesn’t suit him so well. I think Murray will frustrate the Italian and pick up the biggest win of his comeback so far at the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday.
Prediction: Murray in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
