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ATP events have always been a perfect platform for some of the higher ranked players to prepare for any major Grand Slam event. It also gives an opportunity for some of the lower ranked players to improve their rankings and get some much-needed match practice before any Grand Slam event.
After witnessing some intriguing contests at the Tokyo Open and the China Open, fans are expecting some high voltage contests in the upcoming Shanghai Masters event, which is about to start on Sunday. With Rafael Nadal already out of the tournament due to a knee injury and Andy Murray deciding not to play any further events in the current year, the focus will once again be on Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Federer was the winner of the tournament in 2017 and will hope to lift the trophy once again. On the other hand, Djokovic has won two Grand Slam titles this year (Wimbledon and US Open) and will hope to continue with his good run of form. But ATP events have always produced new winners and this time too, there could be a surprise winner.
There are some players who could surely produce a shocking result and upset some of the best players in the business.
We take a look at 5 such players who could turn out to be a surprise element in this event.
#1 Dominic Thiem
Dominic Thiem is considered to be the next shining star in tennis circles. The 25-year-old produced some decent performances this year by winning the Lyon Open in May and finished runner-up in the Madrid Open in the same month, losing to Alexander Zverev in the finals.
The Austrian also finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal in the French Open. He also won the Argentina Open in February by beating Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia in the final with a 6-2, 6-4 scoreline. He also won the St Petersburg Open in Russia in September by beating Martin Klizan of Slovakia with a 6-3, 6-1 scoreline.
His destructive forehands combined with his solid groundstrokes can trouble any opponent. His baseline game is quite precise. His quick groundstrokes have outdone many opponents, while his top spins are quite effective during the run of play.
Thiem’s calmness helps him during pressure situations, which the Austrian has said helps him focus whenever he plays a tricky opponent. Thiem has also stated that maintaining a positive temperament will help him to overcome pressure situations. His single-handed backhands have always been his main strength.
#2 Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev has been touted as the next big thing in the tennis circuit like Dominic Thiem, but the German hasn’t lived up to his billing. Many think that the German may need some more time to develop the temperament one needs to excel in modern tennis, especially in knockout rounds, where the German tends to get a bit nervous. Zverev also tends to get a bit erratic during pressure situations.
The number 5 seed has stated that playing more such events will help him to prepare for Grand Slam events. The 21-year-old won the Madrid Masters in May by beating Dominic Thiem in the final and was a runner-up at the Miami Masters and the Rome Masters in March and May. He also won the Bavarian International Tennis Championship in April. His precise baseline game has, at times, outfoxed his opponents.
He also won the Washington Open in July by beating Australia’s Alex De Minaur in the final. His rasping serves can outclass his rivals, while he has this ability to surprise his opponents with his quick serves. Zverev’s backhand strokes are considered to be his main strength and it is an area where the German can be a big threat to his rivals.
#3 Marin Cilic
Marin Cilic is another player who hasn’t done justice to his talent. The Croatian was the runner-up in the last edition of Wimbledon as the 30-year-old lost his way in that game because of an injury. This year too he was a runner-up at the Australian Open as he lost to Roger Federer in the final. Cilic also won the Queens Club Championships before the Wimbledon tournament.
The 2014 US Open champion has stated that winning the Shanghai Masters tournament will give him a much-required boost to do well in the upcoming tournaments and the Grand Slam tournaments next year. Cilic is seeded 6th in Shanghai and has stated that doing well there will help him improve his rankings.
His sublime baseline strokes have always unsettled his opponents, combined with his powerful groundstrokes. Cilic has the ability to produce some brilliant groundstrokes during the run of play which can outclass his rivals. He can also execute some exceptional drop shots. Cilic can also cover a lot of ground with his reach and quick moves.
#4 Juan Martin Del Potro
The Argentine is a big threat to every opponent because of his reputation of a giant killer. Del Potro surely has the ability to outlast any opponent with his powerful serve and rapid groundstrokes. His electric forehand is considered the best, which he often executes with speed and accuracy.
The 2009 US Open Champion can also generate a lot of speed with his destructive baseline strokes. His return to the sport last year from a career-threatening wrist injury wasn’t that impressive but Del Potro is slowly coming into his groove. He won the Mexican Open in February and the Indian Wells Masters in March this year.
He finished as the runner-up in the Auckland Open in January. Del Potro was always billed as the most promising talent but his struggles with injuries have always created hurdles in his progress.
The 30-year-old can take heart from the fact that he recently made it to the final of the US Open in September. Although the Argentine couldn’t win the tournament, he looks in good shape for the upcoming events. Del Potro has made it to the final of the Bejing Open and will be eager to continue with his good run of form.
#5 Kevin Anderson
Kevin Anderson is a surprise inclusion in our list. The 32-year-old made it to the final of this year’s Wimbledon, where he lost to Novak Djokovic. He also made it to the semi-finals of the Madrid Open and the Canadian Open in May and August.
The South African can be a tricky customer because of his precise baseline play. Anderson can outclass his opponents with his destructive forehands. Anderson is a quick mover on the court, which, at times, makes it difficult to track his movements during the run of play.
The 2017 US Open finalist is also quite good in playing drop shots. Kevin Anderson has got the ability to shock some big names and the American will once again be a threat. Known for his powerful serves, Anderson can outclass his opponents on hard courts with his electric serves. It will be interesting to see how he fares against some of the top seeds.
