A few second-round picks from Shanghai today, and there's some genuinely interesting tennis to dig into. Hard courts, no weather data to factor in, so let's just get into it.
Shanghai Masters Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Arthur Fery
Head-to-head: First meeting
Fery's ranking might suggest this is competitive, but Khachanov on hard courts at a Masters event is a different proposition entirely. He's big, he serves well and he can absolutely dominate matches when he's hitting cleanly. Fery has had a solid year but hasn't really been tested at this level consistently.
That said, these first meetings can be unpredictable, and Khachanov has had his share of strange losses this season. I think he gets through, but not without some wobbles.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Matteo Berrettini vs Brandon Nakashima
Head-to-head: Berrettini 1-0 Nakashima
Berrettini took their only meeting, but Nakashima has climbed to 18 in the world and is playing some of the most consistent tennis of his career right now. The rankings tell the real story here, and on a fast hard court Nakashima's deep ball-striking and relentless from the baseline should cause Berrettini real problems. Berrettini's serve is always a factor, and he can flip a set quickly, but sustaining that over three sets against a player in this kind of form is a tough ask.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
Yannick Hanfmann vs Frances Tiafoe
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tiafoe is the 8th seed and one of the more dangerous players in the draw on this surface. Hard to see Hanfmann being competitive at all here. Tiafoe's athleticism and ability to take the ball early make him really difficult to deal with on hard courts, and I don't see Hanfmann finding an answer here. That said, Hanfmann is a solid professional who can string together some good results, and these first meetings do occasionally throw up surprises, all things considered.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Scott Stuart/ZUMA Press Wire