Shanghai R2 previews and predictions: Zverev vs. Basilashvili, Del Potro vs. Gasquet

Nikoloz Basilashvili will try to keep his hot streak going when he runs into Alexander Zverev during second-round action on Wednesday in Shanghai. Meanwhile, Juan Martin Del Potro is getting his week started against Richard Gasquet.

Nikoloz Basilashvili vs. (4) Alexander Zverev

At 26 years old, Basilashvili is up to a career-high ranking of No. 23 in the world and he has earned 28 of his 65 lifetime main-tour match victories in 2018. That number is highlighted by a pair of 500-point titles, including one last week in Beijing. Basilashvili beat four top-30 players en route to his second career ATP title and he got right back in gear to hammer Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-2 at the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday.

Up next for Basilashvili in round two is a second career contests against Zverev, who won their only previous encounter 7-6(5), 6-3 in 2015 Marseille qualifying. The fifth-ranked German is an outstanding 46-15 this season and has secured a second straight appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals, but he is showing signs of wearing down with a modest 5-4 record since triumphing in Washington, D.C. this summer. An on-fire Basilashvili may be able to take advantage of an opponent who looks vulnerable right now.

Pick: Basilashvili in 3

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(3) Juan Martin Del Potro vs. Richard Gasquet

Del Potro and Gasquet will be facing each other for the eighth time in their careers and for the first time since 2013 when they finally collide again on Wednesday. The head-to-head series stands at a dominant 6-1 in favor of Del Potro, who has won six in a row at the Frenchman’s expense dating back to 2008. Their last four hard-court meetings have all gone the Argentine’s way, including two by margins of 7-5 in the third set (at the 2008 Japan Open and at the 2013 year-end championship).

This will be a quick turnaround for Del Potro, who was ill last week in Beijing and lost to Basilashvili 6-4, 6-4 in Sunday’s final. Even if he is 100 percent from a health standpoint for this one, the world No. 4 is likely to be fatigued. Gasquet is capable of capitalizing based on his current form, as the 32-year-old is 4-1 on this Asian swing with wins over Kevin Anderson, Nick Kyrgios, Denis Kudla, and Leonardo Mayer–the latter via a 1-6, 6-2, 6-1 decision on Tuesday.

Pick: Gasquet in 2

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