A blockbuster matchup in the Chengdu opening round pits China’s own Jerry Shang against Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori on Thursday afternoon. Roman Safiullin and Fabio Fognini are also hoping to advance.
Jerry Shang vs. (WC) Kei Nishikori
Shang and Nishikori will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they collide in round one of the Chengdu Open on Thursday. Their only previous encounter came last summer on the hard courts of Atlanta, where Nishikori prevailed 6-4, 7-6(3).
Already a rising star at that point, Shang has climbed even higher 14 months later. The 19-year-old from China is up to 67th in the rankings and has earned 19 of his 23 career main-tour match victories in 2024. His hard-court summer included a semifinal showing in Atlanta and a third-round performance at the U.S. Open (lost to Casper Ruud in five sets). Still plagued by occasional injuries, Nishikori has played sparingly this season but did well to reach the quarterfinals of the Montreal Masters this month. The 34-year-old is still extremely talented, but Shang is in fine form and is by far the more reliable player from a physical standpoint.
Pick: Shang in 2
(8) Roman Safiullin vs. Fabio Fognini
Like Nishikori, Fognini is seemingly in the twilight of his career. However, even at 37 years old he still finds himself well inside the top 100 at No. 79 in the world. Fognini is a solid 11-9 at the ATP level for his 2024 campaign and he advanced to the Wimbledon third round this summer, but a listless 7-5, 6-1, 6-3 loss to Tomas Machac in the U.S. Open first round is somewhat concerning.
Up first for Fognini in Chengdu is a first-ever meeting with Safiullin. The 56th-ranked Russian is a disappointing 12-20 on the main tour this year, but he has won at least one match at four of his last five events. One thing you can say about Safiullin is that he gives it his all every time he takes the court–which certainly isn’t the case with Fognini. Count on Safiullin being the more motivated player as the dog days of the Asian swing get underway.
Pick: Safiullin in 2
