Tennis action is heating up here in Shanghai, China as the ATP Shanghai Masters 2023 is well underway with a jam packed draw. Day 4 promises to be a fantastic day of tennis and as ever, we at LWOT preview and predict the matches scheduled for you. In addition to this article, we split the rest of the matches between three others. One features Carlos Alcaraz vs Gregoire Barrere, the second highlights Tommy Paul vs Sebastian Ofner, and the third features Andrey Rublev vs Quentin Halys. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Shanghai Day 4 Predictions
Jiri Lehecka vs Diego Schwartzman
Head to head – First Meeting
Jiri Lehecka has had quite a decent year and hence he finds himself a well deserved bye in the first round. He takes on a tough and tricky opponent in former top ten player in Diego Schwartzman who needed three sets to close out his previous match. Perhaps what tilts this match in the favour of Lehecka is that he takes on Schwartzman on a very fast court. Expect the Czech to progress further.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
Lorenzo Sonego vs Frances Tiafoe
Head to head – Sonego 2-1 Tiafoe
Frances Tiafoe should enjoy these conditions but it is going to be a tight battle with Lorenzo Sonego. The Italian will bring his usual energy and it will be interesting to see how the American reacts to that given he has a losing head to head including a loss this year. Expect this match to go right to the wire with Tiafoe’s serve proving to be the differential.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
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Taylor Fritz vs Yosuke Watanuki
Head to head – First Meeting
Taylor Fritz should be eyeing this tournament with hopes of going very deep. The American has the game style and serve to boss most of the players in the draw. He has a relatively easy opener facing Yosuke Watanuki who won his first round match but this a different quality he is going to face and the American looks much stronger going into this matchup.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Rinky Hijikata vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head to head – Hijikata 0-1 Tsitsipas
It will be highly interesting to follow the game and motivation of Stefanos Tsitsipas this week given his recent poor results after such a strong start to 2023. The Greek is slated to face a player he beat quite easily in the pair’s lone previous meeting earlier this year. Rinky Hijikata has had a good 2023 but there’s still some way to go for him to beat the likes of Tsitsipas.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
