Shanghai’s Saturday lineup features some potential upset alerts, as Daniil Medvedev takes on Jan-Lennard Struff and Spaniard Rafael Jodar is in second-round action against Thiago Agustin Tirante.
(5) Daniil Medvedev vs. Jan-Lennard Struff
It has been quite a week for Medvedev. He won the title in Hangzhou and reached the semis in Beijing, although that was far from the biggest news of that tournament. The Russian got defaulted against Novak Djokovic when a ball he hit away struck a fan in the face. Contrite though he may be, Medvedev loses his Beijing points and prize money. It’s a rough time for fate to finally catch up to the 30-year-old, because he is clinging to the eighth and final spot in in the Nitto ATP Finals — with Djokovic and Alex de Minaur closing in. He needs wins.
Jan-Lennard Struff is waiting for Medvedev in the second round. The 36-year-old won their matchup at Wimbledon in July, but that was on grass — where Struff is good and Medvedev…not so much. The Russian breezed past Struff last week in Beijing in their most recent meeting. The German looked fine against Martin Landaluce on Wednesday, but he trails this particular head-to-head series 9-2. On a hard court and with Turin on the line, I think Medvedev will have plenty of motivation.
Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 2
Ricky pick: Medvedev in 2
Thiago Agustin Tirante vs. (12) Rafael Jodar
Rafael Jodar has had a remarkable season. The 20-year-old Spaniard won his first title in Marrakech, made the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, and reached his first Masters 1000 semifinal in Montreal. Jodar climbed to No. 11 and spent time inside the top eight of the race. Since then, however, the wheels have come off entirely. He lost to Flavio Cobolli in Cincinnati and to Bu Yunchaokete in the first round of the U.S. Open. Last week he won just four games against qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in Tokyo. Between Davis Cup in Chile, the Laver Cup in London, and then Japan, Jodar has pretty much traversed the globe. Honestly, he looks like a player who is ready for the offseason.
Thiago Agustin Tirante isn’t in the greatest form, either, having lost in the first round at the U.S. Open and in Beijing. But he beat Djokovic in Cincinnati for the biggest win of his career and then defeated Jakub Mensik on his way to the Cincy quarterfinals. The Argentine opened in Shanghai with a clean win over Hamad Medjedovic, so he at least has match play already at this event. Look for a possible upset in the making.
Cheryl pick: Tirante in 3
Ricky pick: Tirante in 3