Andy Murray will continue his quest for the year-end No. 1 ranking on Friday in Shanghai, where David Goffin is trying to surge into World Tour Finals contention. Jack Sock and Gilles Simon are also in quarterfinal action.
(11) David Goffin vs. (2) Andy Murray
Murray and Goffin will be going head-to-head for the fifth time in their careers when they battle for a spot in the semifinals of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Friday. All four of their previous encounters have gone Murray’s way, including one on hard courts via a 6-1, 6-0 blowout last fall in Paris. They faced each other a few weeks later in the Davis Cup final on the clay courts of Belgium, where the Scot prevailed 6-3, 7-5, 6-3. Their most recent meeting came earlier this season on the red clay of Rome, where Murray got the job done 6-1, 7-5.
It has only been full steam ahead for the world No. 2 since then, with a runner-up performance at the French Open and titles in four of his last six events–Queen’s Club, Wimbledon, the Olympics, and last week in Beijing. Murray has improved to 62-9 in 2016 and 19-3 lifetime in Shanghai with routine victories this week over Steve Johnson and Lucas Pouille. Goffin, a runner-up last week in Tokyo, has advanced to the last eight by taking out Juan Martin Del Potro, Benoit Paire, and Gael Monfils. The 12th-ranked Belgian trailed Del Potro by a set and a break and Monfils by a set and two breaks. Having played so much tennis in both Tokyo and Shanghai, Goffin cannot be expected to turn the tide of his past history against Murray.
Pick: Murray in 2
[polldaddy poll=9550032]
Jack Sock vs. Gilles Simon
Sock and Simon will be squaring off for the third time in their careers on Friday. The head-to-head series is all tied at one win apiece; Simon prevailed 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-3 last year in Rome before Sock came on top a few months later on the indoor hard courts of Stockholm via a 7-5, 7-6(5) decision. This season has been a tough one for Simon, whose record stands at just 28-22 and has him down at 32nd in the rankings. The Frenchman is suddenly turning things around in Shanghai, however, with straight-set defeats of Pablo Carreno Busta, Di Wu, and Stan Wawrinka.
The 2016 campaign has been a stellar one for the world No. 24, who will reach the top 20 for the first time in his career if he beats Simon. Sock, who reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open, is through to the Shanghai quarters following victories over Guido Pella, Feliciano Lopez, and Milos Raonic. Sock saved two match points against Raonic on Thursday before triumphing 0-6, 6-4, 7-6(8). A much different kind of matchup against such a consistent baseliner like Simon may prove to be too difficult for the American.
Pick: Simon in 3
[polldaddy poll=9550037]
WWW?
Herbert will win. He’s not losing to Wilfried.
https://tenngrand.com/2016/10/11/zverev-puts-dent-cilics-london-hopes-goffin-kyrgios-keep-winning/#comment-194110
https://tenngrand.com/2016/05/01/madrid-r1-previews-predictions-goffin-vs-pouille-simon-vs-baghdatis/#comment-110150
lol’ssssss….
well I just hope you aren’t comparing Troicki to Dimitrov. Don’t you? Or do you?
https://tenngrand.com/2016/10/11/shanghai-r2-previews-predictions-nadal-vs-troicki-murray-vs-johnson/comment-page-1/#comment-194105
#NostraDontus
Stop. My stomach hurts ?
Muzz and Gillou will win.
#Herbert
#NID
Sock in three and Murray in two. And I had no clue Monfils was up 6-4 4-1 serving!! So he was up a set and two breaks basically and lost. He hasn’t really done something like this all season. Still Goffin is the kind of player who won’t go away so I’m sure Monfils didn’t focus enough and it cost him. The way he’s been serving this year I would think he was gonna close that out. Would’ve loved a Monfils Murray matchup. Goffin can still give Andy problems but Monfils would’ve been a tougher and more interesting matchup here. And not much of a surprise Stan lost to Gilles. Stan will probably show up in London when it really matters plus he always plays well at that tourney. I’m pretty sure he’s made semis every year. Anyways I think Jack is gonna capitalize here. He’s playing very well here and has been super tough in big moments this week and can consistently hold easier than Simon imo which will help him a lot here. Simon has made the final here in Shanghai though so he’s got more positive memories here that could really help him and have helped him so far this week. He won’t be fatigued like sock that’s the dangerous thing for Jack. But still I’ve got the American winning in three. Let’s go Sock!!??????
Tsimon and Tsonga in three.
Andy in two. Yep, was looking forward to Andy v Gael.
I heard or read Gael had a medical time-out. Is it true? Hope he’s not injured before Paris.
Yes he took one medical. I think it was something with his back but it was short medical timeout so i guess nothing serious.
who?
He was talking bout Monfils during the Goffin match
Does anybody know why matchstat does not show odds on Bautista Agut? just curious, he is the only player that never has the odds shown.
i dont!
Muzz in 2, Sock in 3
Wait! Sock beat three non-Americans this week already?!? Is that a record? H’m. Well, maybe he can still beat one Frenchman.
Sock’s fatigue and health will be his downfall. He took a medical timeout to work on his shoulder during the Raonic match. Also he’s had to grind through some tough service matchups in his last two matches while Simon took down an in form Wawrinka in straight sets. Simon in 2 with a tiebreaker.
Simon doesn’t have his game face on this first set; the energy and level he had vs Stan is missing. He was smiling when Jack hit a tweener. Not sure Gillou wants to fight for it. He’ll have go three sets to win now.
Sam, what you say about Sock’s fitness is true. Loads of muscle but definitely has struggled with going the distance in singles/ his fitness (remembering Houston); also in best of 5. Conditions are good for him here. Great doubles player, however. Andy Murray will show him the door if Simon isn’t into it.
Maybe I’m just cranky because Gimmelstob is commentating. Uhg…
Murray truly played very well this tournament. He’s pretty impressive against Goffin, winning in straights and losing very few games. All parts of his game are working so well, really the best player since FO this year.
not watching his matches the scorelines seem so impressive Normally he is not the type of player who destroys the field…he is doing it now
Murray is definitely best player at this tourney. He’s the favorite to win it based off of form by far.
I’m on the road right now I wish I could be watching this one
Tough such an engrossing match came down to a TB. Lovely to see the good humour between the two men but
thrilled my favourite Frenchie prevailed in the dying seconds.
?
Yeah congrats to Simon for the win. I bet no one (except Murray) wants to play against Simon. The ball keeps coming back and its so exhausting just winning a point against Simon.
congrats to me