Shanghai Masters 2024 qualifying: Denis Shapovalov vs Yu Hsiou Hsu preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Denis Shapovalov vs Yu Hsiou Hsu
Date: TBD
Tournament: Shanghai Masters 2024
Round: First round (Qualifications)
Venue: Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Shanghai, China
Category: ATP 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $8,995,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Denis Shapovalov vs Yu Hsiou Hsu head-to-head
Former top-10 player Denis Shapovalov will begin his Shanghai Masters campaign in the qualification draw, taking on Yu Hsiou Hsu first up.
Shapovalov, who is the sixth seed in this year’s qualification rounds, comes into the tournament after a string of poor results. Back from a knee injury that he sustained last year, the Canadian has just not quite found his footing yet.
A quarterfinal at the Citi Open, where he posted wins over Adrian Mannarino and Miomir Kecmanovic last month, inspired some confidence, but he has since made first-round exits at his home event in Canada and the US Open for a season’s win-loss of 18-20.
Hsu has largely competed at the Challenger and ITF circuits through the 2024 season and has managed to secure main draw spots at Tour-level events only on a handful of occasions.
The Taiwanese does, however, have good memories from his time in Shanghai last year. Having come through the qualification rounds, he logged his first Masters 1000 level wins over Max Purcell and Lorenzo Musetti before losing to eventual champion Hubert Hurkacz in the third round.
Denis Shapovalov vs Yu Hsiou Hsu head-to-head
Shapovalov and Hsu have never crossed paths on the Tour before, so their current head-to-head stands at a 0-0 deadlock.
Denis Shapovalov vs Yu Hsiou Hsu odds
(Odds will be added when available.)
Denis Shapovalov vs Yu Hsiou Hsu prediction
His recent run of form notwithstanding, Denis Shapvalov will be the big favorite to win on paper given his superior firepower and wealth of Tour-level experience.
The Canadian possesses an explosive game built around a big serve, a flat forehand, and a dynamic single-handed backhand. He also likes to mix things up by coming into the net often.
The high-risk game is often rewarded on the quick hardcourts and he will definitely have an edge in that department in Shanghai. His opponent, meanwhile, relies of his defensive prowess to win points.
A seasoned doubles player, Yu Hsiou Hsu also has nifty front court skills, but his relatively weaker serve makes him vulnerable.
The Taiwanese have also been inconsistent of late, reaching a Challengers final early in September only to make a first-round exit at another a week later. Shanghai has been a happy hunting ground for Hsu, but unless he can turn things around quickly, he risks being blown away by Shapovalov’s power.
Prediction: Shapovalov to win in two tight sets