Shanghai Masters 2024: Marin Cilic vs Arthur Cazaux preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

Match Details

Fixture: Marin Cilic vs Arthur Cazaux

Date: October 2, 2024

Tournament: Shanghai Masters 2024

Round: First Round

Venue: Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, China

Category: ATP 1000

Surface: Hard (Indoor)

Prize Money: $8,800,000

Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | Canada - TSN

Marin Cilic vs Arthur Cazaux preview

Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open - Day 3 - Source: Getty

Former World No. 3 Marin Cilic will take on Arthur Cazaux in the first round of the Shanghai Masters.

Cilic had been sidelined from the men's tour due to a knee injury in February. He returned six months later in the Hangzhao Open and chalked up a brilliant title-winning run in the event. He outfoxed Yoshihito Nishioka and Brandon Nakashima en route to the finals and then overpowered Zhang Zhizheng to lift the title.

The Croatian will enter Shanghai on the back of a first-round exit in Tokyo. Despite a spirited effort against Kei Nishikori in the opening round, the Japanese outlasted him in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Cilic will be eager to get back to winning ways in the Shanghai Masters.

ATP 250 Winston-Salem Open 2024 - Day 3 - Source: Getty

Arthur Cazaux, meanwhile, is yet to find his feet on the main tour. He's had a promising season so far by amassing a fourth-round appearance in the Australian Open and a title-winning run in the Noumea Challenger. He also reached the second round of the Wimbledon Championships, where he lost to Alexander Bublik in three sets.

The Frenchman will enter Shanghai on the back of a second-round exit in New York. He brushed aside Pablo Carreno Busta in the opening round, but couldn't make his mark against Brandon Nakashima. The American defeated him in two hours and three minutes, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Marin Cilic vs Arthur Cazaux head-to-head

The head-to-head between Cilic and Cazaux is locked at 0-0.

Marin Cilic vs Arthur Cazaux odds

Player Name	Moneyline	Handicap Bets	Total Games
Marin Cilic
Arthur Cazaux

Odds will be updated when available.

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Marin Cilic vs Arthur Cazaux prediction

Cilic celebrates a point in the Davis Cup Finals - Source: Getty

An engrossing battle between youth and experience will be on the cards in the first round of the Shanghai Masters. Marin Cilic will be a favorite to come out on top considering his solid record on the hard courts.

Despite undergoing surgery this year, Cilic wasted no time in finding his rhythm on the main tour. He eased past three of the top 10 seeds in the Hangzhao Open and looks hungry for more positive results this year.

Cazaux, on the contrary, showcased his resilience with a solid run in the Australian Open. He's been putting in the hard yards to prove his potential and is among the emerging young talents on tour.

Cilic will be expected to play an offensive brand of tennis in the first round. He is comfortable playing long rallies from the baseline and will back his strengths against a player like Cazaux. The Croatian should be able to overpower his opponent and begin with a win in Shanghai.

Pick: Cilic to win in straight sets.