Shanghai Masters 2024: Matteo Berrettini vs Christopher O'Connell preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Matteo Berrettini vs Christopher O'Connell
Date: October 3, 2024
Tournament: Shanghai Masters 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 128)
Venue: Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Shanghai, China
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $8,995,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Matteo Berrettini vs Christopher O'Connell preview
Former top-10 player Matteo Berrettini will take on Christopher O'Connell in the first round of the Shanghai Masters 2024.
Berrettini returned from his injury hiatus at the Miami Open and lost to Andy Murray in the first round. He won his first title of the season in Marrakech after that to begin his clay swing on a high. He then lost in the first round of the Monte-Carlo Masters and missed the remainder of the clay season due to an injury.
Berrettini made another comeback at the start of the grass swing and finished as the runner-up to Jack Draper in Stuttgart. He couldn't continue the momentum as he lost in the second round at Halle and Wimbledon. The Italian switched to clay once again and won back-to-back titles in Gstaad and Kitzbuhel.
The 28-year-old hasn't been able to replicate the same level of success on hardcourts. He crashed out in the first round of the Cincinnati Open and lost in the second round of the US Open. He commenced the Asian swing at last week's Japan Open and retired from his second-round match against Arthur Fils due to an injury.
O'Connell achieved a career-first this season as he advanced to the fourth round of a Masters tournament at the Miami Open. He also reached the third round of a Major for the second time in his career at the US Open.
Since his exit from New York, O'Connell has been in Asia. He first competed at the Chengdu Open and lost to Lorenzo Musetti in a three-set battle in the second round. He made the second round of the Japan Open as well and lost to Alex Michelsen.
Matteo Berrettini vs Christopher O'Connell head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between them, so the head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Matteo Berrettini vs Christopher O'Connell odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Matteo Berrettini vs Christopher O'Connell prediction
Berrettini's 26-8 win-loss record this season is a lot better than O'Connell's 15-18 record. However, the latter has tallied all 15 of his wins on hardcourts, while the former has only five wins on the surface this year.
The Italian's poor luck with injuries continued as he had to abandon his campaign in Tokyo. However, it doesn't seem to be that serious since he's already ready to compete here.
O'Connell has a 6-13 record against top 50 players this year. Berrettini, meanwhile, has a 21-3 record against players ranked outside the top 50 and has won his last 13 matches against them. Based on his record against lower-ranked rivals, the former Wimbledon finalist will be favored to make it through this clash.
Pick: Matteo Berrettini to win in straight sets.