Tennis | ATP Shanghai 2024 | Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev continue epic rivalry in quarter-final action

By Tony Fairbairn

  • Jannik Sinner [1] v Daniil Medvedev [5]
  • Carlos Alcaraz [3] v Tomas Machac [30]
  • Novak Djokovic [4] v Jakub Mensik
  • Taylor Fritz [7] v David Goffin
SHANGHAI, CHINA – Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev will meet for a fifth time this season when they face off in the Shanghai quarter-finals.

Jannik Sinner [1] v Daniil Medvedev [5] H2H & Match Fundamentals

Jannik Sinner [1] v Daniil Medvedev [5] H2H: Medvedev leads 7-6
ATP Shanghai 2024 Shanghai, China
Hard (O) Prize Money: $185,000
Second on Stadium Court (Not before 08:00 BST) Sky/Now <- Subscription Required

Jannik Sinner produced one of the most impressive performances of his season as he eased past Ben Shelton to reach the last eight in Shanghai. The Italian has continued to prove why he is the best player in the world with aggressive baseline play mixed with solid defensive skills. It’s a big next few weeks for Sinner as he has a lot of points to defend at the ATP Finals and will need to continue playing at a high level if he is to end the year as world number one.

Given Sinner’s objectives until the end of the season, it is only fitting the Italian plays one of his nearest rivals this season in the form of Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev dispatched arch nemesis Stefanos Tsitsipas with relative ease and is now looking to cement his legacy as the best hard court player on the tour. Although consistency cannot be falted when it comes to Medvedev, the fifth seed has just fallen short to his nearest rivals this season and will look to change that in the final few weeks of the tour.

Sinner will use the forehand to get Medvedev moving on the court as he will use depth to force shorter balls from Medvedev. Meanwhile Medvedev will use the backhand to force Sinner behind the baseline while producing high risk shots to finish points off earlier in the rally. This should be a similar match to their US Open contest with Sinner expected to advance in a comfortable third set.

Prediction: Sinner in three sets.

Carlos Alcaraz [3] v Tomas Machac [30] H2H & Match Fundamentals

Carlos Alcaraz [3] v Tomas Machac [30] H2H: Alcaraz leads 1-0
ATP Shanghai 2024 Shanghai, China
Hard (O) Prize Money: $185,000
Third on Stadium Court (11:30 BST) Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

A 12th consecutive win for Carlos Alcaraz as he earned Cincinnati revenge over Gael Monfils to move into his tenth ATP quarter-final this season. It has been another record-breaking season for Alcaraz having won a Grand Slam on all three surfaces throughout his career as well as winning two Grand Slam titles. Now the Spaniard is on a mission to become world number one again as he will be confident in sweeping up the remaining titles this season with that bid starting in Shanghai.

In the last eight Alcaraz plays one of the most improved players of the season in the form of Tomas Machac. Machac has had a remarkable season having recorded some incredible wins over former Grand Slam champions and is now on a mission to be seeded for next year’s Australian Open. A mixture of variety and power makes Machac a threat to any player on the tour and the 30th seed will aim for more success in Shanghai as he bids for a maiden semi-final at Masters 1000 level.

Alcaraz will use a variety of paces to force errors from Machac as he will dominate most of the rallies on the forehand side. Meanwhile Machac will use slice to force tactical errors from Alcaraz as the 30th seed looks to be aggressive on serve. This will be a tricky test for Alcaraz but the Spaniard should have enough quality to reach the semi-finals.

Prediction: Alcaraz in straight sets.

Novak Djokovic [4] v Jakub Mensik H2H & Match Fundamentals

Novak Djokovic [4] v Jakub Mensik H2H: First Meeting
ATP Shanghai 2024 Shanghai, China
Hard (O) Prize Money: $185,000
TBC Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

It’s been a comfortable last two rounds for Novak Djokovic who has only lost a combined total of eight games against Flavio Cobolli and Roman Safiullin. After completing tennis at the Olympics, Djokovic is now playing with total freedom as he looks to test the next generation of players. However the Serb still has something to play for as he aims to qualify for the ATP Finals and defend his title in Turin.

Djokovic can take the next step towards that as he takes on Czech Republican rising star Jakub Mensik in the quarter-finals. Mensik has had an incredible season, beating some of the world’s best players and continued that form by edging past Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round. Mensik has a powerful and consistent game that can cause problems for any player and is only going to get better as he becomes an established name on the tour over the next few years.

Djokovic will continue to serve big on break points down as he will use the forehand to move Mensik from side to side. Meanwhile Mensik will use the backhand to create angles and hit ferocious winners into the open court. Djokovic will be tested to his limits against a hungry and determined opponent but the Serb should edge into the semi-finals.

Prediction: Djokovic in three sets.

Taylor Fritz [7] v David Goffin H2H & Match Fundamentals

Taylor Fritz [7] v David Goffin H2H: Tied at 101
ATP Shanghai 2024 Shanghai, China
Hard (O) Prize Money: $185,000
TBC Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

There is no slowing down from Taylor Fritz as he has backed up his run to the final of the US Open by reaching the last eight in Shanghai. It was a dominant performance from the American as he thrashed Holger Rune in 56 minutes as his consistent season continues. Now Fritz has a second Masters 1000 title in his sights in fast conditions with a place in the ATP Finals in his sights.

A surprise quarter-finalist awaits Fritz in the form of Belgian David Goffin. Goffin produced the best result of his season so far as he knocked out Alexander Zverev in straight sets as he continues to frustrate his opponents. At one point this season, things were looking bleak for Goffin as he plummeted outside the world’s top 100. However Goffin has risen back up the rankings and is now at 66 in the world and now is aiming to reach a sixth Masters 1000 semi-final of his career.

Fritz will serve big but will need to back it up with some deep backhands as he looks to dictate the baseline rallies. Meanwhile Goffin will extend the rallies and force Fritz into playing one extra ball as he will use the backhand to turn the rally around. This will be a good test for the American but one he should pass comfortably.

Prediction: Fritz in straight sets.

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