Paris R3 previews and predictions: Zverev vs. Shapovalov, Thiem vs. Dimitrov

Alexander Zverev will continue his quest for London when he takes the court against Denis Shapovalov during third-round action on Thursday at the Paris Masters. Dominic Thiem and Grigor Dimitrov are also aiming for a place in the quarterfinals.

(6) Alexander Zverev vs. Denis Shapovalov

Zverev and Shapovalov will be going head-to-head for the fourth time in their careers when they clash in round three of the BNP Paribas Masters on Thursday. All three of their previous meetings have gone Zverev’s way and he is 6-0 in total sets at the Canadian’s expense; he prevailed 6-4, 7-5 at the 2017 Montreal Masters, 7-6(3), 7-6(5) one month later at the Laver Cup, and 6-4, 6-1 on the red clay of Madrid last spring.

Shapovalov has been competitive against the German despite being unsuccessful, and this should certainly be another good one based on his current form. The world No. 28 has taken off under new coach Mikhail Youzhny with a 16-6 recored in his last 22 tournament matches plus his first career title in Stockholm. So far this week Shapovalov has advanced past Gilles Simon (via first-set retirement) and Fabio Fognini (3-6, 6-3, 6-3). Zverev followed up a bye with a 6-1, 6-3 rout of Fernando Verdasco on Tuesday, so he will be well-rested for this one. A Masters 1000 event and the fall swing is just about a perfect combination for the world No. 6, who finished runner-up in Shanghai and should be able to make similar noise in Paris.

Pick: Zverev in 3

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Grigor Dimitrov vs. (5) Dominic Thiem

Thiem appears to be reinventing himself on hard courts this season, and another victory on Thursday in Paris would be especially impressive given the circumstances. The fifth-ranked Austrian, who also triumphed in Indian Wells this spring, is coming off an emotional hometown title in Vienna last week. Clearly running on fumes, Thiem managed to battle past Milos Raonic 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-4 after two hours and 38 minutes on Wednesday.

Up next for the fifth seed is a fourth career contest against Dimitrov, with the head-to-head series tied at 2-2. Dimitrov has won two of their three hard-court encounters, including two in a row (2017 Brisbane and 2017 Nitto ATP Finals, both in three sets). The 27th-ranked Bulgarian’s sudden surge in form will make things even more difficult on Thiem, who probably would not mind some considerable rest in between this tournament and his fourth career appearance at the O2 Arena. Dimitrov, a surprise U.S. Open semifinalist, has advanced so far in Paris by defeating Ugo Humbert and David Goffin. This would only be an upset on paper, as Dimitrov’s confidence is restored and Thiem is fatigued.

Pick: Dimitrov in 2

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