Seeds come into play on Day 3 of the 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters. Daniil Medvedev reached the semifinals in Beijing last week and will be hoping to keep up that momentum in Shanghai, an event he already won in 2019. Who do you think will advance to the next round at ATP Shanghai?
ATP Shanghai Day 3 Predictions
Sebastian Baez vs Gael Monfils
Head-to-head: Monfils 1-0
Okay, the best days of Gael Monfils are long behind him. But especially on quicker courts, the Frenchman has been able to produce a solid level this year and on occasion continues to be a threat to even the best in the sport. Sebastian Baez is basically the seed you want to draw in hard court events like Shanghai with his ranking far from matching his skills on the surface. Monfils should be treating this as a good opportunity.
Prediction: Monfils in 3
Tomas Machac vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tomas Machac might not be a consistent force on the tour this year, but the highlights have been there and he’s finally producing the tennis that we knew he had the skills for over the years. When the backhand down the line was firing like last week, his chances to post big wins like over Tommy Paul instantly went up. Shanghai courts should suit him and the Czech is a slight favorite over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who’s been mediocre at best this year and looked vulnerable in the opening round.
Prediction: Machac in 3
Botic van de Zandschulp vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Head-to-head: Etcheverry 1-0
Botic van de Zandschulp’s win over Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open might have been more about the Spaniard’s passionless display, but you can’t deny it’s granted the winner of that clash lots of confidence. Van de Zandschulp is truly back to his best now and is holding up well on the main tour again after a year of poor results and lack of motivation. On hard courts it puts him just slightly above Tomas Martin Etcheverry in my book with the Argentinian’s results on the surface always being a mixed bag.
Prediction: van de Zandschulp in 3
Daniil Medvedev vs Thiago Seyboth Wild
Head-to-head: Seyboth Wild 1-0
Thiago Seyboth Wild famously beat Daniil Medvedev at Roland Garros last year, in a performance that felt like he would have dominated literally any player that day. It’s a shame we haven’t seen that version of the Brazilian that often since. On a quicker hard court Medvedev should be better equipped to handle his powerful forehand and the Russian could be eying a deep run here after a solid display in Beijing last week.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
