With 16 first-round matches on the schedule on day two at the ATP Shanghai Masters, there should be plenty of exciting tennis for the fans to enjoy at the Qizhong Forest. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including J.J. Wolf vs Pedro Cachin and Alexei Popyrin vs Matteo Arnaldi. But who will reach the second round?
ATP Shanghai Masters Day 2 Predictions
Aleksandar Vukic vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Head-to-head: first meeting
There does not look to be much in this paper. Roberto Carballes Baena does not exactly come into this match in sparkling form, but he did stun Holger Rune at the US Open before winning the title at the Sevilla Challenger not all that long ago. For Aleksandar Vukic, meanwhile, the early promise of a run to the final in Atlanta has faded over the early autumn (a third-round showing in Toronto aside) but these conditions might just suit his slightly more fluent and style of play. In a close match, that may well be the difference.
Prediction: Vukic in 3
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Beibut Zhukayev vs Stefano Napolitano
Head-to-head: first meeting
Perhaps unsuprisingly this will be the first meeting between the unheralded Beibut Zhukayev and the almost as unheralded Stefano Napolitano. The pair are separated by 50 spots in the rankings, with Zhukayerv 302nd in the world and Napolitano 252nd, but their records at tour-level are identical: 0-1. Some opportunity to get off the mark then. Zhukayev probably has the higher ceiling and will probably have at least a few other chances to reach the second round at a Masters 1000 event. But the pressure to perform might just benefit Napolitano. Pressure can, after all, do strange things.
Prediction: Napolitano in 3
Yosuke Watanuki vs Shang Juncheng
Head-to-head: Watanuki 1-1 Shang
In their third meeting of the year (and second in Shanghai), Yosuke Watanuki and Shang Juncheng go head-to-head for a place in the second round at the ATP Shanghai Masters. It was Watanuki who came out on top a week at the Shanghai Challenger and after the comfortable nature of that 6-4 6-2 win, it’s hard to see a different outcome this time around. It may well be more competitive, with the larger crowd this week sure to back Shang to the hilt. But at this stage in their careers, Watanuki is surely the more accomplished player.
Prediction: Watanuki in 3
Jordan Thompson vs Terence Atmane
Head-to-head: first meeting
This is a match that Jordan Thompson should be winning, though the Australian has struggled with his fitness of late and had to retire trailing by a set in the quarterfinals last time out in Chengdu. Terence Atmane shouldn’t be underestimated either, the qualifier impressed in beating Hiroki Moriya and Steven Diez, both in straight sets, to reach the main draw. He clearly has a bright future and is playing well enough to hold his own here. Ultimately, however, Thompson’s experience might just give him a decisive advantage.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
Main photo credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
