Tournament Preview
We’re checking out the top Shanghai Masters tips today. The first ATP Masters 1000 event of the Winter kicks off in Shanghai; the world’s biggest names are looking to earn crucial ranking points in the race to reach the season-ending finale in London in November. Here are our top predictions and odds
Tournament History
The Shanghai Masters has been one of the biggest events on the ATP tour since its inception in 2009. It 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 10th year, the event has become one of the flagship tournaments on the tour. Players often use 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). Also, 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 complete 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; it is used by many of the players in preparation for the ATP Tour Finals in London.
Dates
Saturday 6th October – Sunday 14th October 2018.
Previous Winners:
As it enters its 10th year as an ATP Tour event, the roll call of winners at the Shanghai Masters may not be lengthy. However, it houses some of the biggest names in the game. Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have won the event on three occasions each, making them the most prolific winners of the event. Roger Federer comes hot on their heels with two tournament wins – including in 2017. The only relative anomaly is Russian, Nicolay Davydenko who won the inaugural event back in 2009.
2018 Shanghai Rolex Masters Tournament Preview
Three-time champion and man in-form Novak Djokovic will arrive in Shanghai full of confidence. He helped Europe lift the Laver Cup alongside Roger Federer who also looked in imperious form in his first competitive showing since the US Open. With Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray not featuring in Shanghai, the field has quite an open look to it. Therefore, many of the big names on the periphery sure to fancy their chances of going deep in Shanghai this week.
Juan Martin del Potro reached the final of the event in 2013 and has been playing sparkling tennis this season. Meanwhile, German sensation Alexander Zverev also arrives in China off the back of some gritty performances in the Laver Cup. Elsewhere the likes of Kei Nishikori and Nick Kyrgios could be looking to spring surprises in the only Masters event to be played in Asia. Here they should receive some vociferous support.
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– 7/4 (William Hill) –
The second half of the 2018 season has belonged solely to Novak Djokovic; he has blown away all before him to win Wimbledon and the US Open. He also contributed to an impressive showing by the European side in regaining the Laver Cup; as such he is clear favourite to pick up his 4th Shanghai Masters title.
Roger Federer – 9/2 (Bet365) –
In an event he’s defending, Roger Federer arrives in Shanghai after a solid week in Chicago for Team Europe. However, an indifferent middle period of the season where defeats in the US Open (to John Millman) and Wimbledon (to Kevin Anderson) has left question marks. Having said that, he’s more than capable if he finds his best form this week.
Juan Martin del Potro – 6/1 (Bet Bright) –
The Tower of Tandil has been the model of consistency in 2018. He reached the last 8 or better at all of the Grand Slams and he will be looking to add some silverware to what has been a remarkable season for the Argentine.
Alexander Zverev – 8/1 (Betsafe) –
Zverev is another huge contributor to Team Europe’s Laver Cup success. He 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 season. He looks well placed to reach the Tour Finals in London.
Dominic Thiem – 11/1 (Ladbrokes) –
Thiem is another young buck on the scene who has displayed real maturity this season; this is epitomised by reaching his maiden Grand Slam final at the French Open. A solid US Open showing suggests that he is coming to terms with hard court tennis and he is one to watch in the congested draw in Shanghai.
Marin Cilic – 12/1 (Betsson) –
It has been yet another prolific season for the Croat. He reached the final of the US Open before a relatively subdued few months subsequently. His win at Queens back in June was proof that he is still more than capable. So, despite no real pedigree at this event, he could be a tough man to stop on the speedy hard courts in Shanghai.
Kevin Anderson – 14/1 (Coral) –
The Wimbledon runner up was on the losing side in the Laver Cup for Team World. However, his win on a personal level over Novak Djokovic will surely do the South African some good. This has been by far and away his best season as a professional. As such, he will be hoping to make a late surge to reach the ATP World Tour finals in London for the first time.
Grigor Dimitrov – 18/1 (Unibet) –
The next in line of Bjorn Borg’s heroes from the Laver Cup, team tennis appeared to bring the best out of Dimitrov who has endured a tough year. He could well take confidence from his impressive showings out in Chicago and could arrive in Shanghai as a man in good form.
Kei Nishikori – 25/1 (888sport) –
The lack of big events on the ATP Tour that take place in Asia is a much-discussed talking point… and Kei Nishikori will be wanting to put on a showcase for Asian tennis in Shanghai this week. Fresh off the back of his run to the US Open semi-finals, the Japanese superstar could be a very good value pick in Shanghai.
Top Pick – Novak Djokovic – 7/4 (William Hill)
Outside Pick – Kei Nishikori – 25/1 (888sport)