Juan Martin Del Potro and Nikoloz Basilashvili will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they battle for the China Open title on Sunday night. Their only previous encounter came during last year’s Asian swing, when Del Potro prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 at the Shanghai Masters.
The Argentine is once again a heavy favorite as the No. 4 player in the world and No. 3 in the race to London, for which he clinched a spot earlier this week. Del Potro has captured two titles in 2018 (Acapulco and Indian Wells) and he is one win away from another following Beijing victories over Albert Ramos-Vinolas, Karen Khachanov, and Filip Krajinovic. The top seed got a walkover from an injured Fabio Fognini in the semifinals.
Basilashvili is rounding the home stretch of his best year on tour, with a 26-25 record that already includes one 500-point title on the red clay of Hamburg. The Georgian is up to 34th in the rankings and will reach at least a career-high mark of No. 28 even if he loses to Del Potro. He has maintained his fine form by beating Jack Sock, Fernando Verdasco, Malek Jaziri, and Kyle Edmund so far this week.
“He already won Hamburg,” Del Potro said of Basilashvili. “He has big potential; his game is so strong and it is going to be an interesting final…. Of course I wanted to play [against] Fabio. I am sad for him because he is a friend. I wish him all the best.”
Del Potro’s best should be enough to take care of business on Sunday, and he will likely be able to produce something along those lines given that he is extremely well-rested (6-0 in total sets in Beijing). Expect his backhand slice to frustrate an opponent who likes a relatively high-bouncing ball more high up in his strike zone.
Pick: Del Potro in 2
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