Shanghai R1 previews and predictions: Isner vs. Zverev, Almagro vs. Youzhny

John Isner will be taking the court for the first time since the U.S. Open when he goes up against Alexander Zverev on Monday in Shanghai. Mikhail Youzhny and Nicolas Almagro are also contesting an opening-round match.

Alexander Zverev vs. John Isner

Zverev is coming down the home stretch of what will go down as a memorable season for him on tour, and he hopes his form will continue into this week’s Shanghai Rolex Masters. The 19-year-old German is up to No. 24 in the world thanks to a 40-22 record at the ATP level. Zverev kicked off the fall swing by capturing his first career title in St. Petersburg (beat U.S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka in the final) and he is coming off a quarterfinal finish in Beijing (beat Dominic Thiem and Jack Sock, lost to David Ferrer).

Up first for Zverev on Monday is a first-ever meeting with Isner. The 6’10” American has not played a match since the U.S. Open, where he suffered a disappointing third-round exit at the hands of Kyle Edmund. It has been a struggle for Isner throughout the 2016 campaign, mainly because his propensity to win tight matches late in final sets has suddenly disappeared. The world No. 26 is just 26-17 for the season and he now heads from his favorite part of every year (the American hard-court summer) to perhaps his worst (the Asian and European swings). A much more confident Zverev will likely be able to take advantage of a rusty Isner.

Pick: Zverev in 3

[polldaddy poll=9545684]

(Q) Mikhail Youzhny vs. Nicolas Almagro

Almagro and Youzhny will be going head-to-head for the sixth time in their careers on Monday. Youzhny is sweeping the head-to-head series 5-0, including 2-0 on hard couts. The two veterans have not faced each other since a 2013 clay-court encounter in Madrid, where the Russian got the job done 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2. This matchup is best remembered for an incident that occurred the first time they ever squared off–at the Miami Masters in 2008. After netting a backhand on break point while his opponent served for the match at 5-4 in the third set, Youzhny smashed his forehead with his racket multiple times and drew blood. Following a lengthy timeout, Youzhny recovered to break and eventually prevailed 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(6).

Fast forward eight years and both players are slowing down in the seemingly latter stages of his career. Youzhny, 34, resurrected his ranking by dominating the Challenger tour earlier this season. The world No. 51 is a decent 17-15 at the ATP level with a recent third-round showing at the U.S. Open and quarterfinal performance in St. Petersburg. Almagro struggled with a foot problem in 2014 and 2015, but he is healthy now and back up to 48th in the rankings. The 31-year-old Spaniard reached the last 32 at the U.S. Open but fell right away in Metz to Peter Gojowyczk to begin the fall swing. Based slightly on current form and mostly on their past history against each other, Youzhny should have a slight edge.

Pick: Youzhny in 3

[polldaddy poll=9545685]