The Rolex ATP Shanghai Masters has delivered during its first edition since 2019. We move into Day 7. With four terrific Round of 16 matches on the docket. 22-year-old Jannik Sinner takes on 21-year-old Ben Shelton for the first time in what sets up to be a fantastic battle between two of the best young guns in the sport. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of Shanghai. But who will advance to the quarterfinals?
ATP Shanghai Day 7 Predictions
Francisco Cerundolo vs Sebastian Korda
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Sebastian Korda comes into this match off his first top-five win of his career. He knocked in 76 percent of his first serves and bested Daniil Medvedev 7-6 6-2. Korda is 8-2 since his first-round loss at the US Open. He takes on Argentine Francisco Cerundolo for the first time in Shanghai. Cerundolo has had a tough go of it over the last few months and will struggle with the accuracy and pace Korda brings to the table. I expect the American to dictate most rallies as he rolls to his second career Masters 1000 quarterfinal.
Prediction: Korda in 2
Hubert Hurkacz vs Zhizhen Zhang
Head-to-Head: Hurkacz 1-0 Zhang
Hubert Hurkacz and Zhizhen Zhang squared off at this event back in 2019. Hurkacz bested Zhang 7-6 6-4, though both players have massively transformed their game since that meeting. The No. 16 seed is playing his first ATP event since the US Open. Hurkacz’s blistering serve will be a massive advantage on the ATP Shanghai hardcourts, but I expect Zhang to trouble him from the baseline. The current No. 1 Chinese will have heavy backing from the home crowd, but will he be able to raise his level when it matters most? I trust Hurkacz to get it done in a decisive breaker.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Casper Ruud vs Fabian Marozsan
Head-to-Head: first meeting
It has been a challenging season for the former world No. 2. Casper Ruud is looking to win a third consecutive match for just the fifth time this season. He squares off against 24-year-old Hunargian Fabian Marozsan for the first time. The big-serving youngster is up to a career-high live ranking of No. 77. Marozsan has yet to drop a set in Shanghai and is playing with high confidence and power. I give him a solid chance to pull off this upset. Look for Marozsan to get to the net often and put immense pressure on Ruud from the first ball.
Prediction: Marozsan in 3
Jannik Sinner vs Ben Shelton
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton headline the day of matches at ATP Shanghai. The young superstars square off for the first time with a spot in the Rolex Shanghai Masters quarterfinals on the line. Here is an interesting stat: This year, Shelton is 15-11 in Slam or Masters matches. He is 6-12 in all other ATP matches. The kid brings his best tennis to the brightest stages. That said, he has an incredibly tall task when facing the buzzsaw that is Sinner. The Italian holds a 20-3 record since Wimbledon and, for my money, is currently playing the best tennis of anyone on tour. Shelton must have an unconscious day from the service line to win this match.
Prediction: Sinner in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
