Shanghai Masters 2024: Taylor Fritz vs Yosuke Watanuki preview, head-to-head, prediction and pick

By Rudra Biswas
Modified Oct 07, 2024 09:21 GMT
Taylor Fritz to take on Yosuke Watanuki for the second time on ATP Tour (Source: Getty Images)
Taylor Fritz (L) to take on Yosuke Watanuki for the second time on ATP Tour (Source: Getty Images)

Match Details

Fixture: (7) Taylor Fritz vs [Q] Yosuke Watanuki

Date: October 8, 2024

Tournament: Shanghai Masters 2024

Round: Third round (Round of 32)

Venue: Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Shanghai, China

Category: ATP Masters 1000

Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt

Prize Money: $8,995,555

Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN | India - Sony

Taylor Fritz vs Yosuke Watanuki preview

Fritz (L) at the 2024 US Open - Final Day - Source: Getty
Fritz (L) at the 2024 US Open - Final Day - Source: Getty

2024 US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz will take on Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki in the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday (October 8).

Fritz has been in good form this season, accumulating a 46-19 win/loss record and taking home two ATP titles. The American went on a spree in New York last month; he beat top-10 players like Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud en route to the final, where he lost in straight sets to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

The World No. 7 was then upset by eventual champion Arthur Fils in the first round of the Japan Open a week later. That said, he put the loss behind him in style on Saturday (October 5), beating France's Terence Atmane 7-6(4), 7-6(5).

Watanuki, meanwhile, is ranked outside the men's top 300 and mostly competes on the ATP Challengers circuit. The Japanese 26-year-old qualified for the main draw of this week's Masters-level event in Shanghai in comprehensive fashion before downing Brandon Nakashima and Pavel Kotov to reach the third round.

Taylor Fritz vs Yosuke Watanuki head-to-head

Fritz leads Watanuki by a margin of 1-0 in their head-to-head meetings on the ATP Tour. Coincidentally, the American player won their lone encounter in the second round of the Shanghai Masters a year ago.

Taylor Fritz vs Yosuke Watanuki prediction

Watanuki hits a forehand | Getty Images
Watanuki hits a forehand | Getty Images

Fritz has been hitting through the ball better than ever in 2024. The 26-year-old always possessed big shots on both wings. This year, however, he has been able to pair his firepower with good footspeed and rally tolerance, making him one of the more dangerous players this season.

Watanuki can also hit huge groundstrokes at will, with his two-handed backhand being the selling point of his game. The World No. 336 plays with far less margin for error than his higher-ranked opponent.

The keys for both players will be to dominate rallies from the forecourt. Fritz's big first serve gives him a considerable edge in this match-up though, unless Watanuki comes up with some heroics to spring an upset in Shanghai.

Pick: Taylor Fritz in straight sets.