In an exhausted draw of Shanghai, Alex de Minaur is one of the title favorites that are on their way to action on Wednesday. The Minaur is going against Nuno Borges, while Jiri Lehecka is facing Arthur Rindernech.
Nuno Borges vs. (7) Alex de Minaur
The minaur seems to go directly to Turin for the Nitto ATP final. A few other contenders could say something about this at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, but the Minaur checks his own destination – and he checks it well. Currently seventh in the 2025 race, the 26-year-old Aussie has improved to 49-18 for the season with Shanghai victories on Camilo Ugo Carabelli and Kamil Majchrzak.
The next one for the minaur on Wednesday is a very first meeting with Borges, who booked his place in the last 16 by beating Botic van de Zandschulp, Aleksandar Vukic and Jerry Shang. All three of those competitions were competitive, including a three-setter against Shang on Monday. Moreover, this is a terrible matchup for the world No. 51 from Portugal. The minaur can compensate for both offensive and defensive superior.
Pick: by Minaur in 2
Arthur Rinder Knech vs. (15) Jiri Lehecka
Lehecka and Rinder Knech go for the third time in their career for the third time on Wednesday. They divided their two previous meetings; Lehecka the prevail had 7-6 (4), 7-5 at the Indian Wells Masters 2023 before Rinder Knech won 7-5 last season, 7-6 (5) on the inner hard courts of Marseille.
This should be a good one, because both boys are in excellent form. Lehecka went on to the fourth round in both Toronto and Cincinnati, made a quarter -final run on the US open, defeated Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe in Davis Cup qualifying to Leiden Czech Republic, and so far in Shanghai has been closed with Quentin Halys and Denishai. Rinder Knech comes from the upset of Alexander Zverev, which he also dropped off in Wimbledon this summer. The 54th ranking is 9-3 in its last 12 games that goes back to the US Open. A slight lead is to Lehecka, who played four routine sets these two weeks, while his opponent has just endured a tough three-setter.
Pick: Lehecka in 3
#Shanghai #Picks #Minaur #Borges #Lehecka #Rinder #Knech