The upcoming ATP tournament in Shanghai is a Masters 1000, making it one of the second-biggest events on the annual tennis calendar. They trail only the four Grand Slams – in which 2000 ranking points are awarded to the champion – in prize money and prestige. In other words, Shanghai is a very important tournament and players’ motivation should be high even as they labor through the closing stages of a grueling 2024 campaign that also included the Paris Olympics.
Every one of the seven highest-ranked players on tour are in the Shanghai field. That includes Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Among the other top contenders are Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz. Let's take a look at the best bets to be made for the Shanghai Rolex Masters.
- DANIIL MEDVEDEV
- NOVAK DJOKOVIC
- TAYLOR FRITZ
Medvedev Poised To End 2024 On A High
This is generally Medvedev’s favorite time of year. In fact, toward the end of the 2019 season, he reached six consecutive ATP finals – a streak that ended in none other than Shanghai (defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semis and Zverev in the title match). Medvedev also advanced to the Beijing final last fall, beating Zverev, Tommy Paul, Alex de Minaur and Ugo Humbert before falling to Sinner.
The world No. 5 has been unspectacular this year relative to his lofty standards, which is why he is currently overshadowed by Djokovic, Alcaraz, Sinner and perhaps even Zverev. But don’t sleep on Medvedev – especially not when his value is enticing as one of the outside contenders according to the odds. The Russian is without question one of the best hard-court players in the world and he loves playing in Asia.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV
Can Djokovic Be As Good As Gold In Shanghai?
It has been a mostly disappointing 2024 campaign for Djokovic – aside from one monumental result. The 37-year-old filled the one obvious void on his career resume, winning the gold medal at the Olympics for the first time. However, he failed to win any of the four majors and his U.S. Open performance was especially alarming (lost to Alexei Popyrin in the third round).
Which Djokovic will show up in Shanghai? Will he simply go through the motions in his last few tournaments of the season, or will he go all out? It’s impossible to say for sure, but the Asian swing generally brings out the best in him. The Serb is the all-time leader in Shanghai titles with four and it’s worth noting that he also owns the most Beijing trophies (six). Djokovic should be in line for more success, in part because Alcaraz, Sinner and Medvedev are all on the other side of the draw.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Fritz Rested, Ready To Make Another Run
Fritz is coming down the stretch of his best season on tour. The 26-year-old American is up to No. 7 in the world after going all the way to the U.S. Open final before succumbing to Sinner. Since leaving New York he has played only three matches, so the batteries should be recharged.
Getting the seventh seed in Shanghai sets him up nicely, as he would not have to face Djokovic until the semis and would not meet either Alcaraz or Sinner until the final. If you are looking for a live longshot, Fritz may be your man.
TAYLOR FRITZ
