Taylor Fritz (Usa) vs. Karen Khachanov (Rus) – Score prediction (9.10.2019)

Overview.

Karen Khachanov was winless in three matches before entering the Asian swing but regained his form in Beijing last week, where he did not look entirely convincing but managed to reach the semifinal, defeating the likes of Fabio Fognini and Jeremy Chardy. The Russian #2 Karen Khachanov made his top 10 debut and attained his career-high ranking of #8 recently, but the run in Beijing last week was only his second semifinal appearance on the 2019 season.

Performance in the upcoming weeks will have a significant impact on Karen Khachanov’s ranking as he delivered impressive results in the final few weeks of 2018 by winning the title in Moscow and lifting the biggest title of his career in Paris Masters. Karen Khachanov has managed to progressively improve his result in Shanghai Masters in his previous three visits, having failed in the qualifying stages in 2016, first round in 2017 and second round in 2018. His only ever main draw win in Shanghai came against the American Steve Johnson in 2018 (faces an American this Wednesday).

Taylor Fritz needed three sets and nearly three hours to overcome Fernando Verdasco in the first round of Shanghai Masters earlier this week. The American made his own life difficult as he squandered a set and break lead and was taken to the deciding set, 7-6 6-7 6-4.The reigning champion of ATP Antalya, Taylor Fritz reached the second round of Shanghai Masters during his previous two main draw appearances in 2016 and 2018 but couldn’t progress further — lost to Roberto Bautista Agut and Sam Querrey, respectively. Though Taylor Fritz is enjoying his career-best season so far in 2019, he has won only two of his last nine matches on tour, which makes Karen Khachanov — the better player of these two — the favorite to advance further.

Match Info.

Competition: ATP – SINGLES: Shanghai (China), hard – 1/16-finals
Start: 9.10.2019, 6:00 UTC.