A blockbuster third-round showdown between Alexander Zverev and Juan Martin Del Potro is part of a jam-packed schedule on Thursday in Shanghai. Grigor Dimitrov and Sam Querrey are also bidding for a place in the quarterfinals.
(16) Juan Martin Del Potro vs. (3) Alexander Zverev
Zverev and Del Potro will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they collide in round three of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Thursday afternoon. It has been a routine week so far for Zverev, and that is putting it mildly. Following a first-round bye, the world No. 4 played only four games (won all of them) before Aljaz Bedene retired from their second-round contest. And with that Zverev improved 52-17 this year, during which he has already captured Masters 1000 titles in Rome and Montreal.
Del Potro, a recent semifinalist the U.S. Open, beat Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 before making more routine 6-3, 6-4 work of U.S. Open quarterfinalist Andrey Rublev. The 23rd-ranked Argentine owns a decent 26-13 record this season, but his 2017 campaign has left a little to be desired. With so many players at the top of the game injured, this year could have been the one in which Del Potro broke back into the World Tour Finals. Alas, the 29-year-old has struggled against the very best in the world (aside from beating a hobbled Federer in New York), and the story may be a similar one on Thursday.
Pick: Zverev in 3
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(10) Sam Querrey vs. (6) Grigor Dimitrov
This is shaping up to be an extremely productive week for Querrey in his effort to to make a debut appearance in the World Tour Finals. While fellow contenders David Goffin, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Kevin Anderson are already out, Querrey has picked up straight-set victories over Yuichi Sugita and Frances Tiafoe. The 17th-ranked American isn ow 36-18 for the season, which includes a semifinal run at Wimbledon and a quarterfinal performance at the U.S. Open.
Next up for Querrey on Thursday is a third career meeting with Dimitrov, who leads the head-to-head series 2-0. The Bulgarian prevailed 6-3, 6-2 four years ago in Washington, D.C. and 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the 2015 Queen’s Club event. Dimitrov is in even better shape to qualify for London, as he is fifth in the race with a 39-16 record. The world No. 9 almost exited Shanghai right away on Wednesday, but he saved three match points to survive his opener against Ryan Harrison 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6). That close call should inspire Dimitrov to pick up the pace in what will likely be another hard-fought battle with Querrey.
Pick: Dimitrov in 3
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I really hoped DelPo will win against Zverev and it just happened. I also believed Dimitrov will not lose to Querrey. The draw is opening nicely.
Tricky opponents for Rafa and Fed in this round and the next one though.
Picking against Ricky! NOT good for my average but I don’t bet so I can just go with my gut.
DelPo in 3. I think the big guy gets it done. Querrey in 2 because I think Dimi is due for a slump and Querrey is rested. Or is he rusted? We’ll see.
Del Po and Querrey in three
I’m a better and everyone has different predictions. Im just going to get that both games are close and we will see over 21.5 games each
Well,I picked Zverev and Dimi in three but on hindsight, I think the slick court suits Delpo’s flat hitting better. Looking forward to the likely meeting with Roger , who’s no slouch either on these courts.