Tournament Preview
The first ATP Masters 1000 event of the winter kicks off in Shanghai with the world’s biggest names looking to earn crucial ranking points in the race to reach the season-ending finale in London in November. Here are our top Shanghai Masters betting tips and predictions.
Tournament History
The Shanghai Masters has been one of the biggest events on the ATP tour since its inception in 2009 and is the biggest event to take place in Asia. With only men competing, the ATP Tour regulates the event to fit in with the hectic schedule of the players and to fall in line with the suitability of the playing conditions in Shanghai. Now into its 11th year, the event has become one of the flagship tournaments on the tour, with players often using it as a catalyst to finish their season well with the next season and the Australian Open only a matter of months away.
Format
The event is an ATP Masters 1000 meaning that is compulsory for the world’s top 32 players to take part (injuries permitting) and with 1000 ranking points on offer, it is one of the biggest events in the calendar outside of the Grand Slams. With the draw being completed in just one week, the 56 players competing can expect a hectic schedule should they manage to reach the latter stages of the event.
Venue
The Shanghai Rolex Masters takes place at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in the Minhang District of Shanghai. The hardcourt event is the only ATP Masters 1000 Event to take place outside of Europe or North America and is used by many of the players in preparation for the ATP Tour Finals in London.
Dates
Sunday 6th October – Sunday 13th October 2019.
Previous Winners:
As it enters its 11th year as an ATP Tour event, the roll call of winners at the Shanghai Masters may not be lengthy but houses some of the biggest names in the game. Andy Murray has won the event on three occasions whilst defending champion Novak Djokovic leads the way 4 Shanghai titles. Crowd favourite Roger Federer is hot on their heels with two tournament wins whilst the only relative anomaly is Russian, Nicolay Davydenko who won the inaugural event back in 2009.
2019 Shanghai Rolex Masters Tournament Preview
Four-time champion and man in-form Novak Djokovic will arrive in Shanghai full of confidence after clinching the Tokyo Open last time out. Meanwhile, Roger Federer looked in imperious form in his first competitive showing since the US Open at the Laver Cup and is always a hit with the fans in China. Dominic Thiem comes into the event fresh off the back of his win in Beijing whilst Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitispas will be looking to finish the season strongly.
Outright Winner Odds:-
The penultimate ATP Masters 1000 event promises to be a fascinating one with so many big names in action and with plenty of places at the Tour Finals in London up for grabs, it should be a very competitive week of tennis in Shanghai.
Here are some of our favourites for the title in Shanghai:
Novak Djokovic – 5/4 (Betsson) –
Novak Djokovic has reigned supreme once more on the ATP Tour this season, maintaining his spot as world number one and picking up two Grand Slams in a phenomenal season. He is the defending champion in Shanghai and with no Nadal in the draw, he is the justified favourite.
Roger Federer – 9/2 (William Hill) –
Whilst maintaining his spot in the top 3 in the world, Roger Federer’s trophy cabinet hasn’t grown at the rate he may have liked this season and he will be keen to put that right in Shanghai. He always enjoys playing the event and will be willed on by passionate Chinese support in an event he has long been an ambassador for.
Daniil Medvedev – 6/1 (Bwin) –
It has been a breakthrough season on the ATP Tour for Russian ace Daniil Medvedev who reached his maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open last month. His powerful game and efficient movement make him an obvious candidate here in Shanghai and with all of his best results coming on hardcourt; he could be one to watch.
Alexander Zverev – 12/1 (Betfred) –
A huge contributor to Team Europe’s Laver Cup success, Alexander Zverev perhaps hasn’t kicked on like many would have hoped for in Grand Slams this season but the German has once again been consistent all campaign and will be well placed to reach the Tour Finals in London with a strong showing here.
Dominic Thiem – 13/1 (Betsafe) –
Two-time French Open finalist Dominic Thiem arrives in Shanghai in great form having won the China Open in Beijing last time out. The Austrian continues to get results on hard court having also won the title at Indian Wells earlier in the season and looks a fair bet overpriced in an open draw this year.
Stefanos Tsitispas – 16/1 (Bet365) –
Another youngster that has enjoyed a breakthrough season is Stefanos Tsitsipas. Despite not reaching his best levels at the Grand Slams, his climb into the world’s top 8 players has been seamless and with a place at the World Tour Finals to guarantee, he’s got plenty to play for here.
Karen Khachanov – 22/1 (888sport) –
Big-serving Russian Karen Khachanov looks all set to make an assault on the established elite of men’s tennis. In 12 months spearheaded by his incredible win at the Paris Masters last November, Khachanov reached the last 4 in Beijing last week and should be in good form on arrival in Shanghai.
David Goffin – 40/1 (Ladbrokes) –
Belgian David Goffin has enjoyed a stellar season on the ATP Tour as he continues his comeback from serious injury. In his run to the semi-final in Beijing and run to the final in Cincinnati, he demonstrated his incredible agility and game management and he could be the player that carries the most value in a congested field here.
Top Pick – Novak Djokovic 5/4 at Betsson
Each Way Selection – Dominic Thiem 13/1 at Betsafe
