Shanghai Masters 2024: Taylor Fritz vs Holger Rune preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (7) Taylor Fritz vs (12) Holger Rune
Date: 9 October, 2024
Tournament: Shanghai Masters 2024
Round: Fourth round (Round of 16)
Venue: Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Shanghai, China
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hard-court (Outdoor)
Prize Money: $8,995,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN | India - Sony
Taylor Fritz vs Holger Rune preview
Seventh seed Taylor Fritz is set to face 12th seed Holger Rune in a highly anticipated fourth-round clash at the 2024 Shanghai Masters on Wednesday, October 9.
Fritz began his campaign in Shanghai with a hard-fought 7-6(4), 7-6(5) victory over the French youngster Terence Atmane in the second round after receiving a first-round bye. He then took on Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki in the third round and started strong by breaking Watanuki comfortably in the fourth game.
Fritz maintained pressure from the baseline and soon served out the first set. Although Watanuki began the second set stronger, he failed to convert several break points during Fritz's first two service games. The American capitalized by breaking Watanuki in the fifth game in a tense deuce. That crucial break proved decisive as Fritz secured a 6-3, 6-4 win.
Holger Rune also received a first-round bye in Shanghai this week and began his campaign with an emphatic comeback victory, defeating former world No. 6 Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the second round. 33rd seed Jiri Lehecka awaited in the third round.
Both players started solidly on serve, with no breaks in the first eight service games. A solitary break in favor of Rune in the ninth game proved decisive, allowing him to comfortably serve out the set in the following game. The second set featured another serving masterclass. Rune, however, played the crucial points better, securing a break in the eleventh game before going on to win 6-4, 7-5.
Taylor Fritz vs Holger Rune head-to-head
Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune are locked in at 1-1 in their head-to-head. Rune won their previous encounter at Indian Wells earlier this year in a three-set epic 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-3.
Taylor Fritz vs Holger Rune odds
(Odds to be added once available)
Taylor Fritz vs Holger Rune prediction
Taylor Fritz enters this match on the back of playing some of the best hardcourt tennis of his career this year, boasting a 47-19 overall record and a 22-10 mark on hard courts. In contrast, Holger Rune has enjoyed most of his success on other surfaces, holding a 38-20 record overall and a 24-12 record on hard courts.
Rune, however, has been more decisive in Masters 1000 events, leading Fritz with a 14-7 record compared to Fritz's 12-7. The Dane has reached one semifinal and two quarterfinals this year, while Fritz has made one of each.
Both players have shown great form in Shanghai this week, proving to be formidable on serve and equally effective on the return. In what promises to be an engrossing battle, Fritz could edge out Rune due to his superior form and significant momentum collected this season.
Pick: Fritz in three sets.