Shanghai Masters 2024: Marcos Giron vs Karen Khachanov preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Marcos Giron vs (24) Karen Khachanov
Date: October 5, 2024
Tournament: Shanghai Masters 2024
Round: Second-Round (Round of 64)
Venue: Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Shanghai, China
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hardcourt (Outdoor)
Prize Money: $8,995,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN | India - Sony
Marcos Giron vs Karen Khachanov preview
Marcos Giron will square off against 24th seed Karen Khachanov in a tantalizing second-round clash at the 2024 Shanghai Masters on Saturday, October 5.
Giron has had an indifferent season up until now, as his 21-22 match record suggests. He's won one title this season at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport against compatriot Alex Michelsen. He also reached the finals of the Dallas Open which he lost to Tommy Paul, and the semifinals in Delray Beach.
Giron last featured at the Japan Open where he went down fighting in three epic sets 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 to second seed and defending champion Hubert Hurkacz. He opened his China Open campaign against qualifier Li Tu in the second round after receiving a first-round bye. He dominated the first set but was given a stiff challenge in the second, eventually sealing a 6-1, 7-6(4) win.
Khachanov enters Shanghai with a 25-19 match record this year. He claimed one title in Qatar, defeating Jakub Mensik in the final. He also made the semifinals in Marseille and the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo.
He has struggled to find his best form during the North American hardcourt swing, exiting in the second rounds of both Montreal and Cincinnati. He also suffered a surprising five-set defeat to Dan Evans in the first round of the US Open. Most recently, at the Hangzhou Open, where he was the defending champion, he endured another upset, losing to local wildcard Bu Yunchaokete.
Marcos Giron vs Karen Khachanov head-to-head
Marcos Giron and Karen Khachanov have not yet faced each other in professional competition, so their head-to-head record stands at 0-0.
Marcos Giron vs Karen Khachanov odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Marcos Giron vs Karen Khachanov prediction
Marcos Giron has struggled on hard courts this season, compiling a 9-11 record, and recently snapped a four-match losing streak with his first-round win in Shanghai. Although his serving was inconsistent, he excelled on return, winning 35 out of 69 receiving points and converting 5 of 11 break-point opportunities.
Khachanov, meanwhile, hasn't been in great form either, holding a 2-5 record on hardcourts since Wimbledon. He has an overall hardcourts record of 16-12 for the year along with the one title. His serve has been inconsistent all year, and he's been plagued by unforced errors, particularly on the backhand.
Khachanov enters this match as the slight favorite due to his experience and overall stronger season. However, an upset by Giron could be on the cards, as he's already pulled off a few surprises this year.
Pick: Karen Khachanov in straight sets.