Day 7 at the ATP Shanghai Masters will see Round of 32 matches take place, featuring plenty of intriguing players, such as American sensation Ben Shelton, who has had success during the Asian swing before, fan-favorite Monfils, facing fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert, and young prodigy Holger Rune, coming off a marquee win against former Grand Slam finalist Matteo Berrettini.
ATP Shanghai Day 7 Predictions
Gaël Monfils vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: Monfils 1-3 Humbert
Will mental fatigue kick in for Humbert after a run to the final in Tokyo and chaotic scheduling conditions here in Shanghai? It’s not impossible, but he was clinical against Cazaux in his first match and is playing at his best level, which is a very high one. He lost to Monfils in Doha earlier this year but avenged it a week later in Dubai en route to the title, so the dynamic between both French stars is very interesting right now. The fresher, more in form Humbert should have the upper hand in a historically close matchup.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
Holger Rune vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-head: Rune 1-0 Lehecka
Despite solid numbers in terms of win/loss record, Holger Rune has largely struggled overall, with disappointing results when it mattered the most, and looking very frustrated with himself, almost giving up at times. Therefore, the determination and fighting spirit he showed to come back from a set down against non other then Matteo Berrettini was impressive. Lehecka has not had the easiest season either, struggling with injury and momentum, but he is always a very tough customers for higher ranked players. This should be a tight match with great ball striking, but if Rune can manage his emotions, he is the more talented player and should be able to win more crucial points than his Czech counterpart.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alexandre Müller
Head-to-head: First meeting
With his worst hard-court record in the last eight years and zero signs of self-confidence, it is hard to confidently pick Stefanos Tsitsipas to beat about anyone. He is a much better player than Alexandre Müller, who is only 12-14 on hard courts in 2024. But he is a streaky player, and he easily dispatched Felix Auger-Aliassime. So anything is possible in this match. A Tsitsipas meltdown would not be that surprising, but he starts as the clear cut favorite.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Ben Shelton vs Roberto Carballés Baena
Head-to-head: Shelton 1-0 Carballés Baena
Carballés Baena has done great to reach this stage, beating two players considered better than him in hard courts in Roberto Bautista and Arthur Fils. But Ben Shelton should be a cut above the pair, and it is hard to see how Carballés Baena is going to be able to not get blasted off the court by the American. He tried it in Auckland earlier this year and was not particularly close to achieving it. The result will probably be similar this time around. Shelton to advance without being in danger.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
