ATP Shanghai has been nothing short of exciting with the top players slugging it out for huge prize money at stake. It’s been a basket full of draws, and apart from Novak Djokovic, virtually the who-is-who of tennis is here. We join the party for Day 5 predictions to see who’ll still be here on Day 6.
ATP Shanghai Day 5 Predictions
Ben Shelton vs. Roman Safiullin
Head-to-Head: Shelton 0 – 1 Safiullin
This has been an unforgettable year for Ben Shelton. The young Brit was one match away from a major final at the US Open but came up short against eventual winner, Novak Djokovic. Such has been his meteoric rise that he now sits comfortably as a top 20 player. Roman Safiullin is arguably the most in-form player on tour, and he’s finally getting to strut what critics know he is capable of. The Russian is simply unplayable on his day, and he demonstrated it with a proper annihilation of Alexander Zverev in the second round to exert revenge for the defeat in Chengdu a fortnight ago.
Both players are power hitters and really know how to grind points out. However, Safiullin looks more assured and is more experienced. Interestingly, it is a rematch of the ATP Challenger final in Chicago last year, where Safiullin prevailed in three sets. I think the same result is going to play out here.
Prediction: Safiullin in 3
Hubert Hurkacz vs. Yu Hsiou Hsu
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Yu Hsiou Hsu landed in the ATP Shanghai main draw and secured an upset win over the more experienced Max Purcell. It was a match strewn with unforced errors, and the young debutant managed to squeeze a win despite committing more. As if that wasn’t enough, he defeated 18th seed, Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets to complete his tenth victory in twelve matches.
This will be as far as he goes for the Taiwanese, though, as Hubert Hurkacz is in a different class. The Pole might not be fully fit, but this will certainly be a cakewalk for him if his game with Kokkinakis in the previous round is anything to buy. Hsu might keep this close, but the No. 17 seed should have what it takes to get over the line.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 2
Marton Fuscovics vs. Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Arguably the match of the day with two hard hitters squaring up to light up the courts of Shanghai. Fuscovics looked quite solid against Allisame in the previous round as he expelled winner after winner from his imperious backhand. He was short of the struggling Canadian in virtually every statistic but managed to hit more winners, which ultimately decided the game. Cerundolo has demonstrated his versatility on different terrains apart from his favored clay. He won a title on grass at Eastbourne after a decent run to the fourth round of the French Open, where he succumbed to Holger Rune in five sets.
Both have a positive win-loss ratio on hardcourts, and this is going to be as close as it gets, but I’ll go with the Argentine. He has beaten higher-ranked players this season and always seems to have a fight in him. The Hungarian will come out attacking and probably nick the first set, but Cerundolo should have enough to mount a comeback and secure the win.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Casper Ruud vs. Christopher Eubanks
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Eubanks won his maiden career title this year in Mallorca and rode on that wave to a quarterfinal reach at Wimbledon, where he succumbed to Daniil Medvedev. It’s been a breakthrough season for him, and he’ll be hoping he can have a decent run at ATP Shanghai, where he made his debut with a brilliant comeback win over Yannick Hanffman. However, he still has a losing record on hard courts, and his victory over the German was just his third win since the start of August.
Casper Ruud appears to be enjoying the Asian swing. He reached the quarter-final in Beijing a couple of weeks ago, and he displayed some superb shot-making to tear apart Yoshihito Nishioka in the previous round. While Ruud is the better player, he is as unpredictable as they come. However, if the version of him that plays replicates his second set against Nishioka then this should be a quite comfortable win.
Prediction: Ruud in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
