The 2024 Asian Hard Court swing has not disappointed tennis fans one bit. This year’s Shanghai Masters has been full of exciting tennis with top seeds still holding the fort thus far. We have a titan of the game in Novak Djokovic in the last four along with the winner of two Grand Slams this year and the current World No. 1 in Jannik Sinner. They both hope to ward off challenges from highly talented players. As ever, we at LWOT preview and predict both semifinal matches for you.
ATP Shanghai Semifinal Predictions
Tomas Machac vs Jannik Sinner
Head to head – Machac 0-1 Sinner
Tomas Machac is definitely the surprise entrant into the last four this week taking out the third seed Carlos Alcaraz in a riveting performance. The Czech was playing fearless tennis and he would need to do so once again if he is to have any chance of reaching the championship match. Machac will once more look to dominate from his forehand wing along with his highly effective backhand.
He now faces the World No. 1 Jannik Sinner who hasn’t really looked to be in any trouble this week. Ever since the US Open, the Italian has enjoyed a rich vein of form and apart from the tight third set tiebreaker loss to Alcaraz last week, he has looked like a man on a mission. Sinner brushed aside a tough opponent on these courts, Daniil Medvedev, in two easy sets and it looks unlikely he is going to be stopped here. Expect Machac to be overpowered from both wings and with the serve also firing for Sinner, it looks like a routine win for the Italian.
Prediction: Sinner in 2
Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz
Head to head – Djokovic 9-0 Fritz
Taylor Fritz is in red hot form these past couple of months with the American lighting it up on the hard courts. He reached the finals of the US Open and is now contesting for another final appearance in Shanghai. Fritz has impressed everyone this week but his next opponent boasts of a 9-0 head to head record against the American.
Novak Djokovic has looked relaxed this week and that is a dangerous prospect for everyone else in the draw. The five time Shanghai Masters Champion is yet to drop a set this week and he would relish the upcoming semifinal clash. Fritz’s game style fits right into Djokovic’s counter punching abilities and the American in all their previous meetings has failed to pierce the Serb’s defences. Expect the same with Djokovic enjoying the faster courts and opening up the court beautifully to not let Fritz settle at all in the match.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
