Shanghai R3 previews and predictions: Djokovic vs. Cobolli, Zverev vs. Griekspoor

Third-round action at the Shanghai Masters continues on Tuesday, when the tournament tries to get back on schedule. Novak Djokovic awaits Flavio Cobolli, while Alexander Zverev goes up against Tallon Griekspoor.

(28) Flavio Cobolli vs. (4) Novak Djokovic

Djokovic is playing his first tournament since the U.S. Open, where he was unceremoniously bounced out of the tournament by Alexei Popyrin in round three. It remains to be seen how motivated the Paris Olympics gold medalist is for the home stretch of the 2024 campaign, but he generally plays well in Asia. In fact, Djokovic is the all-time leader in Rolex Shanghai Masters titles with four. The No. 4 seed was tested in his opening match on Friday (beat Alex Michelsen in a pair of tiebreakers), which could be a good thing for him as he sinks his teeth back into competition.

Up next for Djokovic on Tuesday is a first-ever showdown against Cobolli, who has been one of the tour’s breakout stars in 2024. The 22-year-old Italian has earned 34 of his 40 main-tour match wins this season and is up to No. 30 in the world. Round two of this rain-delayed event finally wrapped up late on Monday night with Cobolli’s 6-7(6), 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over Stan Wawrinka that lasted two hours and 30 minutes. It was a physical struggle and Cobolli does not have much recovery time, so Djokovic should be in good shape to advance.

Pick: Djokovic in 2

Tallon Griekspoor vs. (2) Alexander Zverev

Zverev and Griekspoor will be facing each other for the sixth time in their careers and for the third time this season. The head-to-head series stands at 4-1 in Zverev’s favor following their most memorable meeting at the 2024 French Open–won by the German 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(3) from a double-break down in the fifth set. Griekspoor is 0-4 in this matchup outside of the Netherlands, as his lone victory has come at home in Rotterdam via a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 decision in 2023.

In a race with Beijing champion Carlos Alcaraz for the year-end No. 2 ranking and the second seed at the Australian Open, Zverev has been incredibly consistent. The world No. 3 has reached at least the quarterfinals in five consecutive tournaments and in eight of his last nine. He opened in Shanghai on Saturday with a 6-2, 6-4 defeat of an in-form Mattia Bellucci. Griekspoor played his second-round match on Monday, following up a three-set victory over Facundo Diaz Acosta by beating Jordan Thompson 6-3, 6-2. This should be another good one between these two competitors, but all signs point to Zverev once again having the upper hand.

Pick: Zverev in 3