Zhizhen Zhang vs Brandon Nakashima Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Shanghai Masters

Prediction published on 07/10/2023, 23:32  by Joseph King | Modified on 08/10/2023 at 02:26 in Tennis Predictions

The round of 32 in the ATP Shanghai Masters sees Zhizhen Zhang taking on Brandon Nakashima. A spot in the final 16 awaits the winner and a matchup against either 16th-seed Hubert Hurkacz or Yu Hsiou Hsu. Home crowd favorite Zhizhen Zhang has advanced to this stage of the competition following wins over 63rd-ranked Richard Gasquet and 31st- ranked Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the following rounds. He disposed of Gasquet quite comfortably, winning in straight sets by scores of 6-1, 6-2. He would then come from behind after dropping the first set to beat Etcheverry 2-1. This marks the second consecutive tournament that the 26-year-old Zhang has made the third round following his performance in the US Open at the end of August. Zhang has now won four of his last five and holds a record of 28 wins and 27 losses in 2023. The ATP 60th-ranked pro’s best previous finish this year was a quarter-final appearance at the Madrid Open and a semi-final appearance at the Hamburg Open.

Brandon Nakashima comes into this matchup with some serious momentum. He knocked off 70th-ranked Zapata Mirallas in the first round followed up by a huge upset over third-seed Holger Rune in the second-round. Not only that, but the 22-year-old Nakashima made things look easy. He recorded straight sets victories in both matchups, including an incredible scoreline of 6-0, 6-2 against the ATP fifth-ranked Rune. Nakashima will now seek his third consecutive victory as he mounts a deep run and a potential darkhorse challenge for the tournament title. The oddsmakers have moved the 23-year-old up to the 11th-favorites to win the event based on the futures betting odds. Nakashima, who is currently ranked 122nd, had been finding it tough to build consistency this season. He had previously lost four in a row prior to this tournament and has a record of only 13 wins and 21 losses on the year.