Shanghai Masters 2024 Day 3: Men's singles predictions ft. Arthur Fils vs Roberto Carballes Baena, Alejandro Tabilo vs Arthur Rinderknech

Day 3 of the Shanghai Masters 2024 will mark the start of the second round. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were supposed to take to the court on Friday as well. However, the two have been given another day to recover after their epic showdown in the China Open final on Wednesday.

Former top-10 players Matteo Berrettini and David Goffin were among the winners on the second day of the tournament. The former edged past Christopher O'Connell 7-6 (9), 7-6 (6), while the latter beat James Duckworth 6-4, 6-2.

Miomir Kecmanovic, Marcos Giron, Tallon Griekspoor, and Jakub Mensik were among the other players to advance. As more players look to continue their journey, here's a look at the predictions for some of the singles matches set for Day 3 of the Shanghai Masters:

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#1 - Arthur Fils vs Roberto Carballes Baena

Fils captured his second title of the season, and his first-ever on hardcourts, at the recently concluded Japan Open. He beat four top 20 players en route to the title, including US Open finalist Taylor Fritz. He received a bye into the second round here.

Carballes Baena staged a comeback to beat Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the Shanghai Masters. It marked his eighth win on hardcourts this season, while Fils has a 16-10 record on the surface.

The young Frenchman played some fearless tennis to reign supreme in Tokyo. He has outperformed Carballes Baena all season long and should be able to continue his unbeaten run at the moment.

Predicted winner: Arthur Fils

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#2 - Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Botic van de Zandschulp

Tomas Martin Etcheverry is the 31st seed at the Shanghai Masters 2024. (Photo: Getty)

Etcheverry has an underwhelming 8-9 record on hardcourts this year. The only time he won back-to-back matches on the surface this season was at the Australian Open and the US Open. He lost to O'Connell in the first round of last week's Japan Open and received a bye into the second round here.

Van de Zandschulp started his Shanghai Masters campaign with a 7-6 (5), 6-2 win over Pablo Carreno Busta. His record for the year stands at 15-22, and the only time he secured consecutive wins was at the US Open, when he stunned Alcaraz en route to the third round.

Both players have had a tough time this year, so a win would be a welcome change. Etcheverry won their prior and only encounter at this year's Swiss Open in three sets, albeit on clay. He has the game to repeat this feat on hardcourts as well, especially considering van de Zandschulp's 4-13 record against top-50 players this season.

Predicted winner: Tomas Martin Etcheverry

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#3 - Alejandro Tabilo vs Arthur Rinderknech

Tabilo won titles in Auckland and Mallorca this year and was the runner-up in Santiago as well. He also reached the semifinals of the Italian Open. However, his form has taken a beating in recent weeks. He has arrived at the Shanghai Masters on an eight-match losing streak and advanced to the second round there via a bye.

Rinderknech beat Reilly Opelka 6-4, 7-6 (5) in his opener here and secured his very first win at the venue. He advanced beyond the first hurdle of a Masters tournament for the second time this year.

Rinderknech has a 4-9 record against top-50 players this season, though he has a competitive 3-4 record against them on hardcourts. Given Tabilo's losing streak, it wouldn't be too surprising to see the Frenchman cause an upset.

Predicted winner: Arthur Rinderknech

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#4 - Matteo Arnaldi vs Zachary Svajda

Matteo Arnaldi is the 29th seed at the Shanghai Masters 2024. (Photo: Getty)

Arnaldi's breakthrough season saw him reach the fourth round of a Major for the first time at the French Open. He also made the semifinals of the Canadian Open, his first at a Masters tournament. He has a 27-22 record for the year and received a bye into the second round of the Shanghai Masters.

Svajda came through the qualifying rounds here and beat Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 to secure his maiden win at the Masters level. He also improved his record for the season to 4-8. He crossed paths with Arnaldi a few weeks ago at the US Open and lost to him 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.

Svajda does have a couple of wins over top-50 players this season. He will aim to give a better account of himself against Arnaldi this time, though the Italian will still be the heavy favorite to win.

Predicted winner: Matteo Arnaldi