Shanghai R1 previews and picks: Nishikori vs. Dimitrov, Gasquet vs. Pospisil

Kei Nishikori and Richard Gasquet will kick off their Shanghai campaigns on Tuesday. Hasan Murad previews the action as they go up against Grigor Dimitrov and Vasek Pospisil, respectively.

(12) Kei Nishikori vs. Grigor Dimitrov

These two talented youngsters will take on each other for the first time in their careers on Tuesday in the Shanghai Rolex Masters opening round. This year, Dimitrov’s success has primarily been on clay courts–on which he scored his first-ever win against a world No.1 (Novak Djokovic in Madrid). Aside from a runner-up finish in Brisbane and a semifinal appearance in Rotterdam early in the season, Dimitrov has compiled a dismal 8-10 record on hard courts. Nishikori secured his solitary title of the year on the hard courts of Memphis. But like Dimitrov, Nishikori’s best performance at the Grand Slam or Masters 1000 level (fourth round at Roland Garros, quarterfinal in Madrid) has come on clay, while his hard-court results have wavered.

Nishikori has an outstanding return game; winning 32 percent of return games in 2013 has embedded his name as a top five returner of serve for the season. Interestingly enough, Dimitrov has posted strong numbers on his serve, winning 83 percent of service games in 2013. The contrast in their strengths and the glut of talent possessed by these men could provide the perfect impetus for an enthralling first-round match–especially if both play to their potential. Dimitrov can often be his own biggest enemy, with a lack of both consistency and competitive spirit frequently leading to his undoing. Nishikori is likely to prove too tough an opponent for the Bulgarian to reverse his poor form of late.

Pick: Nishikori in 3

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(9) Richard Gasquet vs. Vasek Pospisil

With 33 match wins on hard courts this year, Gasquet is placed third behind Djokovic and Tomas Berdych on that list in 2013. The Frenchman is relishing one of the best seasons of his career. Already in the top 10, he is on the right track to quality for the World Tour Finals as he bids to open his campaign in Shanghai having reached the semifinals of his last three events, including the U.S Open.  Pospisil, a 23-year-old Canadian, is having a breakthrough year. As a repercussion of an inspired run at the Montreal Masters, Pospisil broke into the top 40.

These two will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers. Since his astonishing performance in Montreal, Pospisil has endured tough losses at the Cincinnati Masters and the U.S Open as he failed to convert multiple match points on both occasions. He is looking to right the ship in the wake of another competitive loss to David Ferrer at the Malaysian Open. Pospisil will have to bring out his best if he is to topple a red-hot Gasquet , who is bidding his 45th match win of the year.

Pick: Gasquet in 2

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