Shanghai Semifinals Night!

Nadal vs Cilic​ and Federer vs Delpo

Watch on Tennis Channel 11:30am EST 📺💻📱🎾 https://t.co/CKNOFPsDdP pic.twitter.com/WJhpn9Zs7T

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 14, 2017

37 Major Titles are Held by this Final Four in Shanghai

Predicted Winners in BOLD

I would normally post separate predictions, but I think Delpo’s health makes one prediction too simple to justify a sepparate post.

[1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. [4] Marin Cilic (CRO) – Cilic could trouble Rafa based upon his serve, his height, his two-fisted backhand, and his general big man tennis capabilities.  Yet, Nadal has dominated Cilic after their first meeting went Cilic’s direction.  Rafa is playing quite well, and his game under Moya seems to be a lot more sturdy on hard courts than it has been since 2013.  I think Rafa wins in 2 fairly routine sets.

[2] Roger Federer (SUI) vs. [16] Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) – Federer seemed to be playing 2017 with only goals for tournament titles.  His health was solid, and he was playing without pressure.  When he won Halle and Wimbledon back-to-back, dreams of another week at #1 or even another year finished at #1 seemingly crept into the picture.  Since then, both health and play have dropped off a bit for Roger Federer.  A runner-up finish in Montreal, a quarterfinal at the US Open, and now a semifinal in Shanghai have been strong enough to keep a mathematical shot at #1 alive. As for this match if JMDP is healthy, this match could go wither way.  In fact, JMDP could be favored based upon his US Open win over Federer.   I think Federer has to be heavily favored based upon JMDP’s status to even play the semifinal being in some doubt.

Another wrist injury could force Juan Martin #delPotro out of his Shanghai showdown with Roger Federer…

More >>> https://t.co/50IbQu47NF pic.twitter.com/U8U32qUAgi

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) October 13, 2017