Reilly Opelka vs Arthur Rinderknech Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Shanghai Masters

Prediction published on 01/10/2024, 07:21  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 01/10/2024 at 07:26 in ATP Shanghai Masters Predictions

Reilly Opelka takes on Arthur Rinderknech in round one of the hard court Shanghai Masters. The winner faces 19th seed Alejandro Tabilo in the next round. Read our match prediction below.

A protected ranking has taken Opelka into the main draw of this Masters tournament. He’s currently only 309th in the live rankings but was 17th in 2022. The American played just one tournament last year and his 2024 campaign didn’t begin until July.

He made a stunning comeback with a run to the last four of the grass court tournament held in Newport, USA. The 27-year-old hasn’t been able to build on that but continues to be a difficult player to beat.

His most recent tournament was in Tokyo last week where he lost in three sets to Ben Shelton. That was his fifth consecutive three-setter and he also played a four-set match in the US Open.

It’s never easy to break his massive serve, hence the fact his last seven matches have seen eight tie-breaks played. A side bet on one in this match against Rinderknech could well be a winner.

Arthur Rinderknech is at 62nd in the live rankings and won two of his three matches in his last tournament. The Frenchman defeated Fabio Fognini and Jakub Mensik in the China Open qualifiers but then lost to Roberto Bautista Agut in round one.

Five of his last six matches have seen both players win a set. In the US Open, both of his matches went to a fifth set. His best recent run on hard courts was making it to the last four in Atlanta, though no top 90 players were beaten in that ATP 250 tournament.

We go for over 24.5 games to be played.