Shenzhen R2 previews and predictions: Goffin vs. Murray, de Minaur vs. McDonald

A blockbuster second-round battle in Shenzhen pits No. 1 seed David Goffin against former world No. 1 Andy Murray. Alex de Minaur and Mackenzie McDonald are also aiming for a place in the quarterfinals.

(1) David Goffin vs. (WC) Andy Murray

Goffin and Murray will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers when they clash in round two of the Shenzhen Open on Thursday. Murray is dominating the head-to-head series 5-0, including 12-0 in total sets. They have not faced each other since the Asian swing in 2016, when the Scot cruised 6-2, 6-2 during quarterfinal action at the Shanghai Masters. Of course, the tables have turned two years later. Murray is toiling away at No. 311 in the world as he returns from hip surgery, with a modest 6-4 record in 2018 following a third-set retirement from Chinese wild card Zhizhen Zhang on Tuesday.

In the aftermath of Laver Cup duty in Chicago for victorious Team Europe, Goffin made his way to Shenzhen as the No. 1 seed and a beneficiary of an opening-round bye. The 11th-ranked Belgian is in outside contention for a return trip to the Nitto ATP Finals despite being plagued by injuries this season, owning a 28-15 record that is highlighted by a semifinal showing in Cincinnati and fourth-round performances at both Roland Garros and the U.S. Open. Based on current form, Goffin should not have too much trouble finally getting over the hump against his nemesis.

Pick: Goffin in 2

[polldaddy poll=10117144]

(7) Alex de Minaur vs. Mackenzie McDonald

It will be a battle between two players in the midst of breakout 2018 campaigns when de Minaur and McDonald collide for the second time in their careers and first time on the main tour. De Minaur, who won their only previous meeting 6-4, 6-1 at last season’s Drummondville Challenger, has earned 19 of his 21 career ATP-level match victories this year–which includes a runner-up finishes in Sydney and Washington, D.C. and third-round performances at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. The 40th-ranked Australian maintained his fine form with a 6-3, 6-0 rout of Yuichi Sugita on Tuesday.

McDonald has picked up all seven of his lifetime ATP-level match wins in 2018, most recently via a retirement from Lukas Lacko while on his way to a backdoor double-bagel (leading 5-7, 6-0, 5-0 on Tuesday). The 23-year-old American, who registers three spots off his career-high ranking at No. 80 in the world, made a run to the Wimbledon fourth round and he has also reached two Challenger finals (one title, one runner-up). This should be a fun one, but in matchup between players with similar styles it is de Minaur who does almost everything a little bit better.

Pick: De Minaur in 2

[polldaddy poll=10117148]