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Following his eighth successive defeat to Novak Djokovic at the US Open, Taylor Fritz returns to competitive action at the Shanghai Masters. The top-ranked American star takes on the challenge of Japanese ace Yosuke Watanuki in the second round.
Our favourite Yosuke Watanuki vs Taylor Fritz – match predictions
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Fritz was last in action in the Laver Cup, impressing in his 2-0 win over Andrey Rublev. He will be looking to continue this form against the Asian Games silver medalist Watanuki.
2-0 to Taylor Fritz @ 31/50 (1.62)
Watanuki will fancy his chances after reaching the championship match in the Asian Games but has a tough task against Fritz. While both players possess talent, it is the American’s solidity, experience, and track record at the Masters level that makes him the firm favourite in this matchup. He should get past Watanuki, earning a straight-set victory like the one he got against Rublev in the Laver Cup.
Over 21.5 Games @ 7/10 (1.70)
Fritz might have some ring rust as he locks horns with his Japanese rival. It will not be an easy task as Watanuki has been on a good run of form and should pose a tough challenge for the top-ranked American tennis star. Fritz’s last competitive best of three matches saw 23 and 21 games, respectively. Given Watanuki’s momentum, we expect an extended battle that should see at least 21.5 games being played.
Yosuke Watanuki vs Taylor Fritz odds
Taylor Fritz is heavily favoured in his upcoming match against Rinky Hijikata, with odds of 11/50 (1.22), indicating an 82% implied probability of winning. While Hijikata has shown promise, Fritz’s experience and form make him the clear favourite in this contest.
The odds in this article were correct at the time of writing, and the odds are subject to change. We recommend checking with your bookmaker before placing a bet.
Shanghai Masters Challenge: Fritz vs Watanuki set to excite fans
Our predictions for this match have now been established, let’s see how these players have fared so far this season for the latest tennis betting tips and predictions here.
Yosuke Watanuki preview
Watanuki is riding a wave of success in Asia, recently clinching a hard-fought victory over local favourite Juncheng Shang in the opening round of the Shanghai Masters. After early exits at the US Open, the Japanese ace impressed with a runner-up finish at the Shanghai Challenger and the Asian Games, demonstrating his potential. Although his track record in second-round matches may be modest, his recent performances in Asia indicate that he could pose a significant challenge to his opponents.
Taylor Fritz preview
Currently ranked within the top 10, Fritz is on a quest to establish himself as a contender for the ATP Finals. Despite his impressive ranking, the American has yet to reach a championship match in tournaments beyond the ATP 500 level, underscoring the significance of a strong performance at an elite event. His forte lies in outdoor hard-court play, boasting 34 wins in 43 matches this season. As he embarks on the Asian swing at the Shanghai Masters, Fritz will aim to maintain his exceptional form on this surface.
Yosuke Watanuki vs Taylor Fritz head to head
This is the first meeting between Yosuke and Taylor on the ATP tour.
Key match details
- When will this match start? This match starts at 13:00 GMT on 7th October.
- What is the prize money for Shanghai Masters 2023? The total prize money for Shanghai Masters 2023 is $8,800,000.
- Who is the top seed of the Shanghai Masters? Carlos Alcaraz has the top billing at Shanghai Masters 2023.
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