Shanghai Rolex Masters

(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Mikhail Kukushkin: Dominic Thiem lost 6-3, 6-4 to Djokovic in the second round and was “absolutely satisfied” with his performance while calling Djokovic’s tennis “noble.” If Thiem played well and still managed only seven games, what can anyone expect from Kukushkin? Djokovic in 2.

(11) Andy Murray vs. (5) David Ferrer: These two have not faced each other since the infamous “Heidi” match in 2013, when CBS cut away from their third-set tiebreaker in the Miami final to show golf. Tennis Channel will have no such problem, nor will this one go to a third-set tiebreaker. In his current state, Ferrer would only have a chance in this matchup on clay. Murray in 2.

(3) Roger Federer vs. (14) Roberto Bautista Agut: Federer should have lost to Leonardo Mayer on Wednesday, but the Argentine dumped what should have been a routine…