Novak Djokovic is now the title favorite in Shanghai and he will continue his campaign during quarterfinal action on Thursday. Djokovic will face Zizou Bergs, while Holger Rune is going up against Valentin Vacherot.
Zizou Bergs vs. (4) Novak Djokovic
Djokovic and Bergs will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they battle for a spot in the semifinals of the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Thursday. Already a four-time champion of this tournament, Djokovic is back in the last eight after defeating Marin Cilic, Yannick Hanfmann, and Jaume Munar. The 38-year-old dropped sets to both Hanfmann and Munar, but he has been in control for the most part–aside from some ridiculous theatrics against Munar on Tuesday.
Bergs had never been past the third round of a Masters 1000 event and had advanced past the second round only once (Miami of this year). The 44th-ranked Belgian’s breakthrough in Shanghai has come at the expense of Sebastian Korda, Casper Ruud (via third-set retirement), Francisco Cerundolo, and Gabriel Diallo (in a third-set tiebreaker after saving two match points). Unfortunately for Bergs, Djokovic is playing well and should be inspired to end his string of three-set matches and get off the court in quicker fashion.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
(10) Holger Rune vs. (Q) Valentin Vacherot
Vacherot is ranked No. 204 in the world and has never been inside the top 100, but he improbably finds himself in the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals. It has been a dream fortnight for the 26-year-old, who qualified for the main draw and has since dismissed Laslo Djere, Alexander Bublik, Tomas Machac, and Tallon Griekspoor. Vacherot had previously won just a single Masters 1000 main-draw match in his entire career, including none outside his native land of Monaco (Monte-Carlo).
Up next is a first-ever meeting with Rune, who obviously has a lot more experience on this stage even though he is just 22 years old. The 11th-ranked Dane was the 2022 Paris Masters champion and is also a three-time Masters 1000 runner-up–most recently in Indian Wells this season. Rune has advanced to the Shanghai quarters for the first time in his career thanks to victories over Sebastian Baez, Ugo Humbert, and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The No. 10 seed has taken down two big servers in a row and should not have too much trouble doing the same against Vacherot.
Pick: Rune in 2
