Second-round action at the Shanghai Rolex Masters is wrapping up on Wednesday. Americans John Isner, Sam Querrey, Ryan Harrison, and Frances Tiafoe are all taking the court. Querrey and Tiafoe are going head-to-head, while Harrison has a tough one on his hands in the form of Grigor Dimitrov.
Picks
Ryan Harrison vs. (6) Grigor Dimitrov: Harrison managed to scored an impressive upset of Kevin Anderson last week in Tokyo, but for the most part he struggles against top-flight competition (see: a 6-2, 6-0 loss to Marin Cilic one round later). Dimitrov in 2.
Aljaz Bedene vs. (3) Alexander Zverev: Zverev has already captured two Masters 1000 titles this season. He may be in line for a third. Even if he isn’t, Bedene won’t be the on to stop him. Zverev in 2.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Jared Donaldson: Donaldson has been in outstanding form this season. Unfortunately for him, Nadal has been much better–and much better than everyone other than Roger Federer. The world No. 1 may slow down at some point this week, but not in his opening match. Nadal in 2.
Diego Schwartzman vs. (2) Roger Federer: The above Nadal-Donaldson analysis applies almost exactly to Federer vs. Schwartzman. The Argentine has been awesome of late…just not awesome enough. Federer in 3.
(10) Sam Querrey vs. (Q) Frances Tiafoe. Bold prediction: the American with the huge forehand will win this one. Querrey in 2.
(8) David Goffin vs. Gilles Simon: There may not be a worse matchup on tour for Simon right now. Goffin is a younger and better ball-striking version of the Frenchman. The Belgian has won nine matches in a row and this will be No. 10. Goffin in 2.
(Q) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. (12) John Isner: Isner made routine 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(6) work of Dusan Lajovic on Tuesday. Yes, that might as well be routine for Isner. Tsitsipas, meanwhile, had never won an ATP-level match before beating Karen Khachanov on Monday. Isner in 2.
(5) Dominic Thiem vs. Viktor Troicki: Thiem vs. Denis Shapovalov would have been especially interesting. This one still could be, though, because Thiem is once again struggling away from clay. Thiem in 3.
(Q) Alexandr Dolgopolov vs. Feliciano Lopez: This is one of those matches that you just know is going to end in a retirement. But if not, the edge goes to an in-form Dolgopolov. Dolgopolov in 3.
(WC) Di Wu vs. Steve Johnson: Speaking of retirements, Dolgopolov got one from Jack Sock in the first round and Johnson got a bizarre one from Nick Kyrgios. The good luck continues for Johnson, because this is simply an amazing draw in round two of a Masters 1000 event. Johnson in 2.
(11) Kevin Anderson vs. Jan-Lennard Struff: Struff is basically Anderson with a much worse ranking, no Grand Slam runner-ups, and no marriages to Kelsey Anderson. Anderson in 2.
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who ya got?
Fed vs Rafa ….can’t wait!
Ricky, that is really very god analysis above. I luv it. But it has to be deeper in terms of technical advantages and % serves in, points won etc.
Ben, you now have a competitor in the analysis game. You need to step it up now to be the No.1!ha,ha,ha…
I have been throwing my analysis everyday both in ATP and WTA but randomly in bits and pieces (due to paucity of time and my many other responsibilities besides T&F practices/competitions)! Will always contribute my small might!lol
Good match between Dimi and Harrison. Harrison came very close to winning it. Heartbreaking loss for him in the tie-break. Haven’t seen him play in ages and was impressed he took Dimi to the wire. Touching exchange between them at the net.
In his original analysis of this tournament Ricki mentioned it was notorious for retirements. Don’t know how many in total so far but yesterday alone there were three including the disgraceful one by Curious.