Day 4 of the ATP Madrid Masters features the remaining second round matches, including former World #1 Daniil Medvedev looking for his first final on clay in over four years and Denis Shapovalov looking to return to form after a disappointing few years. As always, we predict all of the day’s matches for you. We split Saturday’s matches between four articles. One features Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Dusan Lajovic, the second headlines Cameron Norrie vs Yosuke Watanuki, and the third features Dominic Thiem vs Stefanos Tsitsipas. Who do you think will win?
ATP Madrid Day 4 Predictions
Jan Lennard Struff vs Ben Shelton
Head-to-head: 0-0
It’s no surprise Ben Shelton has won just two of his five matches on the clay this year really, especially with his huge serve and currently not much else despite rapidly improving. On the clay for the most part, that just doesn’t cut it. What the American does have in his favor, though, is the speed Madrid plays at given its altitude which aids the serve more than other events on the dirt. With Struff coming into the event with a quarterfinal in Monte-Carlo just a few weeks ago losing to Andrey Rublev, his somewhat solid game should be enough to get the better of the 20-year -ld on this surface.
Prediction: Struff in 3
Taylor Fritz vs Christopher O’Connell
Head-to-head: 0-0
With back-to-back semifinals in his last two events I think it’s fair to say Taylor Fritz has surprised many with his results on the clay given his best results before this year were mostly on the faster surfaces. Maybe there’s no wonder his fortunes have changed given the serve has not only remained a weapon but the forehand is firing more often with the backhand far more solid than its ever been, no wonder he’s in the world’s top 10 now. His opponent despite being ranked 81 in the world has already beaten Alexander Zverev just last week and had a great win against Filip Krajinovic who excels on the dirt in the first round here. The American should get the win but it might be tighter than some imagine.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Denis Shapovalov vs Zhang Zhizhen
Head-to-head: 0-0
Denis Shapovalov has been a disappointment the last few years, and that’s putting it lightly. And unfortunately for fans of the Canadian, he doesn’t look any more likely to turn it around now than last year. Whilst still ranked inside the world’s top 30, performances have been dull, littered by tons of unforced errors with loss after loss, just this year alone he’s only won back-to-back matches twice. This is a nice starting match for the now 24 year old though, Madrid will aid his serve and his forehand will be particularly effective and shoot through this court more than most others. This is the Chinese first event on the ATP Tour on this surface and despite winning his first match, this is going to be a test too far, even against a Shapovalov nowhere near his best.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 2
Andrea Vavassori vs Daniil Medvedev
Head-to-head: 0-0
There’s no question the former world number one isn’t the best of clay courters but here and there he does show he’s not exactly the worst on it. Losing in Monte-Carlo to Holger Rune is no disgrace but more importantly he went into that match with two good wins against Sonego and former Grand Slam finalist Alexander Zverev. The Russian may struggle against the elite but he does often beat everyone he should on any surface which he will do against the man ranked outside of the world’s Top 150.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
