I’m backing two players to advance to the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals on Wednesday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pre-match narrative:<\/strong> Daniil Medvedev is finally finding some form after a disasterous season, and I expect him to exact some revenge against 19-year-old Learner Tien, who beat him in Beijing last week. Before that, look for Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime to move past Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out my top Shanghai Masters predictions for the round of 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best Bet: Medvedev -1.5 sets (-109)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Is there still time for Medvedev to salvage his season?<\/p>\n\n\n\n It depends on who you ask. I’m sure the Russian would categorize his year as a disaster after losing in the opening round of the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, Medvedev has found some form on the China swing with an entirely new coaching staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He owns a 5-2 record over three events, with straight set wins over world No. 3 Alexander Zverev and No. 20 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (twice).<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of his losses was to Tien in the Beijing quarterfinals. But Medvedev was one game away from a straight-set victory before suffering cramps, which ultimately forced him to retire in the third set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He was dominating the young American until that point, and Tien has struggled to put away some mid-tier players at this event, needing three sets to beat No. 47 Miomir Kecmanovic and No. 38 Corentin Moutet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medvedev also seems to feel like he’s finally on an equal playing field in the humid Shanghai air.<\/p>\n\n\n\nShanghai Masters predictions: Round of 16<\/h2>\n\n\n\n