The ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai is heating up as players like Yoshihito Nishioka, Alexander Shevchenko, Lorenzo Sonego, Yannick Hanfmann, Zhizhen Zhang, and Sebastian Baez vie for places in the later rounds.
In a first-round matchup, Nishioka will face Shevchenko on October 1, 2025, at 09:30 CEST. This marks their first meeting on the professional circuit. Nishioka has struggled recently, losing three of his last five matches, including a straight-sets defeat to Darderi in Tokyo last week. However, he secured his spot in Shanghai’s main draw with two straight-set victories in the qualifiers. On the other hand, Shevchenko has been in good form, winning four of his last five matches. He reached the semifinals in Chengdu last week before falling to Musetti. Last season in Shanghai, Shevchenko lost in a tightly contested three-set match against Mensik. Given his recent performances, Shevchenko is seen as the stronger contender, and betting odds support this perspective.
Another intriguing match on the same day features Sonego against Hanfmann at 11:00 CEST. Historically, Sonego leads their head-to-head record 4-1. However, he has faced difficulties lately, losing four of his last five matches, including a first-round exit in Beijing against Zverev. Over his past appearances in Shanghai, Sonego has never advanced past the third round. In contrast, Hanfmann has performed well with four wins in his last five matches, though he lost in the semifinals of a Challenger tournament last week. He successfully qualified for the main draw in Shanghai with two straight-set victories. Notably, while bookies label Sonego as the slight favorite, Hanfmann’s recent form suggests a competitive matchup.
The day concludes with Zhang taking on Baez at 12:30 CEST. Zhang, a wild card entry, has had a challenging season, losing four of his last five matches, including a first-round defeat in Beijing. This will be his ninth appearance in Shanghai but he has not made a significant impact in previous tournaments there. Baez, similarly struggling with recent form, has lost four of his last five matches, but has shown more competitive spirit in past Shanghai events. Despite the odds suggesting a close contest, Baez’s experience and performances in the tournament’s history provide him with an edge over Zhang.
As the tournament progresses, the excitement builds with potential upsets and breakthrough performances from rising stars and seasoned players alike. Each match promises to deliver thrilling tennis as participants contest for glory in one of the ATP’s premier events.