Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Shanghai match.
At the previous tournament in Beijing, Daniil Medvedev (5) only succumbed to the eventual champion, Carlos Alcaraz. In Shanghai, he faces Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild in the first round, a player who hasn't participated on hard courts for over a month.
Thiago Seyboth Wild
Thiago Seyboth Wild defeated Medvedev at the French Open last season when he hit peak form. The situation now is drastically different. Firstly, Wild hardly plays on hard courts, and when he does, he doesn’t stick around for long. Over ten months, he has only managed back-to-back wins in the main draw at three tournaments. Secondly, even on his preferred clay surface this season, the Brazilian holds a negative record (17-18).
Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev has plenty to fight for as the season winds down. Last year in Shanghai, he was stopped in the third round. This time, Daniil has a relatively easy draw and stands a good chance of avoiding top players until the quarter-finals. This season, Medvedev has secured 25 wins on hard courts—twice as many as his opponent.
Thiago Seyboth Wild vs Daniil Medvedev Prediction
After an early elimination in the first round of the US Open, Wild played in four clay tournaments before heading straight to Shanghai. Medvedev has had much more time to adapt. If he plays at his usual level, there should be no issues.