Andy Murray and David Ferrer are squaring off in a rare third-round match between the two former top 3 players on Thursday in Shanghai. John Isner and Feliciano Lopez are also bidding for a spot in the quarterfinals.
(11) Andy Murray vs. (5) David Ferrer
Murray and Ferrer will be doing battle for the 13th time in their careers when they collide in the third round of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Thursday. The head-to-head series stands at 7-5 in Murray’s favor and he has won six of their seven previous hard-court encounters. They have not faced each other since the 2013 Miami final, which saw the Scot survive 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(1).
In much need of momentum, Ferrer kicked off his week on Wednesday with a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 win over Martin Klizan. Both Ferrer and Murray are hoping to boost their World Tour Finals chances and the Spaniard was not helped by opening losses in both Shenzhen and Tokyo. Murray, on the other hand, captured the Shenzhen title then reached the Tokyo semis. The world No. 11 has not dropped a set this week in victories over Teymuraz Gabashvili and Jerzy Janowicz. Based on current form and surface, this looks like a mismatch.
Pick: Murray in 2
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(13) John Isner vs. Feliciano Lopez
Isner and Lopez will be meeting for the fifth time in their careers during third-round action on Thursday. The head-to-head series is tied up at two wins apiece, including 1-1 on hard courts. Isner, who generally fares better outside of Grand Slams, is 2-0 against Lopez in such situations. Not too surprisingly, Lopez is 2-0 against Isner at majors. They most recently squared off this summer in the third round of Wimbledon, where the Spaniard prevailed 6-7(8), 7-6(6), 7-6(3), 7-5.
It has already been a productive week for both veterans. Isner booked his spot in the last 16 by taking out Pablo Andujar and Steve Johnson, while Lopez survived Thanasi Kokkinakis in a three-setter before upsetting an ailing Rafael Nadal. Lefties are generally nightmare matchups for Isner, but he will likely be able to take this match almost completely out of his opponent’s hands. Against Johnson on Wednesday, the 6’10” American served at 80 percent and blasted 24 aces without double-faulting a single time.
Pick: Isner in 3
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