Shanghai R3 previews and predictions: Dimitrov vs. Popyrin, Rune vs. Lehecka

The rain-soaked Shanghai Masters has finally completed the second round, so third-round action can conclude on Tuesday–weather permitting. Holger Rune, Grigor Dimitrov, and Alexei Popyrin are among those taking the court.

(20) Alexei Popyrin vs. (9) Grigor Dimitrov

Dimitrov and Popyrin will be squaring off for the fourth time in their careers and for the second time this season when they meet again in round three of the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Tuesday afternoon. Popyrin prevailed 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 on his way to a shocking Montreal Masters title a couple of months ago, taking a 2-1 lead in the head-to-head series (all on outdoor hard courts).

Both players have been in outstanding form throughout the 2024 campaign, so this should be a fun matchup. Dimitrov finally finished off Zizou Bergs 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 on Monday in a rain-delayed match that began two days earlier, whereas Popyrin has been in the third round since Saturday (defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-2). That’s an advantage–albeit a minor one–for the 24th-ranked Australian from both a mental and physical standpoint.

Pick: Popyrin in 3

(33) Jiri Lehecka vs. (12) Holger Rune

Aside from a semifinal performance at the Cincinnati Masters (lost to Frances Tiafoe in a third-set tiebreaker) Rune has labored down the stretch of this season. As a result, the 14th-ranked Dane has little chance of making a return trip to the Nitto ATP Finals. He would have to win the Shanghai title to put himself in Turin position, and even that may not be enough depending on other results. Rune at least did well to win his opening match, scraping past Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Monday evening.

Next up for the 21-year-old is a third encounter with Lehecka. They have split their two previous contests; Lehecka won 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on the indoor hard courts of the 2021 Pao Challenger before Rune got the job done 7-6(4), 6-3 one year later on the red clay of Munich. Lehecka finished off Jaume Munar 7-6(6), 6-4 on Saturday, so the 22-year-old Czech has been resting and waiting for a while. Coming off a quarterfinal effort in Beijing (lost to eventual runner-up Jannik Sinner), Lehecka is playing well in Asia so far. Look for that to continue at the expense of a relatively vulnerable opponent.

Pick: Lehecka in 3