Doubles race to London heating up at Shanghai Masters

Already inside the cut line at No. 8 in the race to the World Tour Finals, Henri Kontinen and John Peers have improved their standing–although not yet their actual position–with a quarterfinal run at the Shanghai Rolex Masters. Kontinen and Peers have advanced with wins over Alexander Zverev and Philipp Petzschner (6-2, 6-3) and No. 8 seeds Robert Lindstedt and Vasek Pospisil (6-7(5), 6-1, 10-7).

The 180 points for a quarterfinal appearance take Kontinen and Peers from 2,710 to a total of 2,890. They will lead defending London champions Jean-Julien Roger and Horia Tecau, currently in the No. 9 spot, by at least 210 points next week.

Marcel Granollers and Pablo Cuevas, however, could factor into the equation. They also find themselves in the Shanghai quarterfinals and could meet Kontinen and Peers in the semis. Granollers and Cuevas are facing Marin Cilic and Mate Pavic on Friday, while Kontinen and Peers are going up against No. 1 seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares. Murray and Soares will be No. 1 in the race if they reach the semis.

On the other side of the bracket, an all-American semifinal showdown is set. Bob and Mike Bryan, who have already clinched a berth in the World Tour Finals, will run into John Isner and Jack Sock. Sock is also through to the quarters in singles following a three-set upset of Milos Raonic.

Isner and Sock beat Max Mirnyi and Treat Huey in the Shanghai second round, leaving the Mirnyi-Huey London bid on hold. They will be surpassed by Kontinen and Peers at No. 7 in the race if Kontinen and Peers reach the title match. Granollers and Cuevas would be within 65 points of Mirnyi and Huey if they win the title.

Top 8 with current Shanghai points included

1. Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut: 7,075 points.

2. Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares: 7,070 points.

3. Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan: 6,070 points.

4. Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez: 4,170 points.

5. Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo: 4,130 points.