The final time Matteo Berrettini featured at ATP Shanghai, he made the semifinals in 2019. Getting that type of run this 12 months isn’t unattainable, however it can rely on how the Italian’s fragile physicality holds up. After all, even final week he retired to Arthur Fils in Tokyo. Opening spherical he comes up towards Christopher O’Connell, who do you assume will prevail?
ATP Shanghai Day 2 Predictions
Pavel Kotov vs Yosuke Watanuki
Head-to-head: Watanuki 1-0
Yosuke Watanuki has spent many of the season injured and away from the court docket, solely returning to motion at the beginning of September. Since then it’s been a rocky manner again with the Japanese struggling to get well the match health. Qualifying right here is already a reasonably good indication that he is likely to be getting nearer. He performed extraordinarily nicely in Shanghai final 12 months and whereas the shape isn’t fairly there, his recreation may rush Pavel Kotov and it may very well be extra on Watanuki’s racket.
Prediction: Watanuki in 2
Yoshihito Nishioka vs Yi Zhou
Head-to-head: First assembly
Yi Zhou is the perfect prospect from China who hasn’t made it to the ATP Tour but, even when his recreation stays extraordinarily uncooked. Hopefully, the performances he’s had not too long ago will drive him to go for a barely extra worldwide schedule subsequent 12 months and push himself to achieve expertise in many various settings. This will in all probability be one other match the place he offers it a strong combat, however in all probability received’t win it after his points to shut out Adrian Mannarino or Pavel Kotov in current weeks.
Prediction: Nishioka in 3
Mattia Bellucci vs Billy Harris
Head-to-head: Harris 2-0
Two gamers who're actually near getting into the Top 100, however not getting a rating replace till after Shanghai will make it tough as they’re dropping some critical factors. The winner of this one can hope for an enormous increase and whereas Mattia Bellucci is in higher form at the second, it’s not going to be straightforward. The final time they performed, we noticed how Billy Harris’s uncooked energy bothered him. Getting this fortunate loser alternative is likely to be a blessing for the Brit, however possibly Bellucci finds his option to keep on high.
Prediction: Bellucci in 3
Matteo Berrettini vs Christopher O’Connell
Head-to-head: 1-1
Injuries simply hold inflicting points for Matteo Berrettini, and he was compelled to retire a arrange towards Arthur Fils in Tokyo. Even although he received that tie-break towards the eventual champion, the Italian was already struggling to maneuver and retired only a few factors into the second set. Christopher O’Connell is somebody he needs to be beating usually, however let’s not deal with the Australian as a pushover, both. If Berrettini remains to be hampered, he’ll be there to take benefit.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
