The Big Guns at the Shanghai Masters get their campaigns underway today and by the time you read this article the action should be well underway. Top-seed Nadal faces the talented American youngster Donaldson for the first time and it should be a straight sets formality for the world number one.
Second Seed Federer faces the in-form Schwartzman and the Swiss great leads the head-to-head 3-0. However, with Federer (1.12) not playing since losing to Del Potro at the US Open, it might be a good time to oppose him at short odds as Schwartzman reached the semis at Tokyo last week and Federer could easily be caught cold, which has happened to him before at Shanghai when he lost against Ramos-Vinolas at this stage back in 2015.
Third seed Zverev gets his campaign underway against Britain’s Aljaz Bedene and the young German sensation should extend his winning record against Bedene to 2-0 if things go to form. Fourth Seed Cilic is already through to the third round after defeating British number two Edmunds in straight sets. Fifth seed Thiem gets his campaign underway against Troicki and there could be an upset in this one as Troicki leads the head-to-head 2-0. Sixth seed Dimitrov faces American Harrison and he should progress to the third round as he leads the head-to-head 3-1.
Seventh seed Carreno-Busta’s disappointing form continued yesterday when he lost to compatriot Ramos-Vinolas in straight sets, eighth seed Goffin who won back-to-back tournaments at Shenzhen and Tokyo faces veteran Simon (advised 22/1 to win Fourth quarter) and I’m confident he will bring the Belgian’s amazing run to an end today as he is bound to be fatigued by now.
Ninth seed and 2016 finalist Bautista Agut crashed out in the first round against NextGen Korean star Chung, tenth seed Querrey faces compatriot and qualifier Tiafoe for the first time, 11th seed Anderson (Advised 7/2 to win Second quarter) faces Struff for the second time and should repeat his 2016 Auckland success and progress to the third round. Isner Seeded 12 faces qualifier and Greek NextGen star Tsitsipas for the first time. 13th seed Kyrgios, 14th seed Sock and 15th seed Pouille are all out losing yesterday and 16th seed Del Potro is already through to the third round after he defeated Rublev yesterday.