Predicted Winners in BOLD

Four Nice Matches to Start the Main Draw

Jared Donaldson (USA) vs. Pablo Cuevas (URU) – I like Cuevas due to his ability to defend and dictate play.

Gilles Simon (FRA) vs. [WC] Yibing Wu (CHN) – Simon is not playing at his 2008 levels, but he is still a tricky opponent who seems to find ways to win.

Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs. Fernando Verdasco (ESP) – This match is completely unpredictable.  Fognini was a runner-up recently, but I cannot read anything into that.  Both men are shot-makers.  I think Verdasco is slightly less likely to implode so I will go with him.

[15] Lucas Pouille (FRA) vs. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) – Pouille and Medvedev played well in Beijing.  It is too bad they face off so early in Shanghai.   Pouille should take a lot of confidence from his recent near miss vs. Rafa.