Djokovic, Federer Headline Shanghai Masters; Murray Plays Monday

The eighth Masters event of the season is already underway in Shanghai, China with 17 of the Top 20 players in attendance.

Rafael Nadal withdrew from the event last week due to a wrist issue, but the tournament still features Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray who have won the event the last three years.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC QUARTER
The 4-time champion Djokovic opens his title defense against either Frances Tiafoe or Denis Shapovalov. He’s projected to face John Isner in the third round then Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals. Djokovic, who just won Tokyo, won this title in 2012, 2013, 2015 and last year all over different players.

DANIIL MEDVEDEV QUARTER
Djokovic could meet Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals. The red-hot Russian has made the finals at his last five events, winning two including St. Petersburg last month to give his a 24-3 record over that span. Medvedev could collide with Diego Schwartzman and in the quarterfinals he could run into countryman Karen Khachanov.

”With the results I achieve… that changed a lot of things inside of me because I always said that experience is key,” Medvedev said. “Before the US Open, I’d never been in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam. So being there, winning these matches, getting in the final and playing this five set match against Rafa, for sure it stays inside your body, inside your mind. Hopefully for any other tournaments, I can just gain this confidence experience, and be ready for every match I play because of it.”

Former champion Murray is also in the section. He’ll open against qualifier Juan Igancio Londero and then the Fabio Fognini-Sam Querrey winners.

DOMINIC THIEM QUARTER
Beijing champ Dominic Thiem will look to keep it rolling in the third quarter. The Austrian has a good draw with Nikolaz Basilashvili in the third then either Roberto Bautista Agut or Matteo Berrettini in the quarters.

ROGER FEDERER QUARTER
The Swiss maestro returns to tournament action and could see Marin Cilic in his opening match. Good friend David Goffin could await in the third round before Alexander Zverev or 2018 finalist Borna Coric who starts against Andrey Rublev.

”The draw is tough here,” Federer said. “It also depends on your opponents a little bit. It’s not just every match on my racquet, unfortunately, but I feel like I have good energy left in the tank to go and finish strong.”

On Monday, Murray stars along with the Tiafoe-Shapovalov match.

MONDAY SHANGHAI SCHEDULE
Center Court 1 Starts At 12:30 Pm
1st Rd Frances Tiafoe v Denis Shapovalov
1st Rd 10 Fabio Fognini v Sam Querrey
Not Before 6:30 Pm
1st Rd (WC) Andy Murray v (Q) Juan Ignacio Londero
1st Rd (WC) Ze Zhang v (Q) Pablo Carreno Busta