Alexander Zverev vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina Prediction Shanghai Rolex Masters - Shanghai · Oct 17, 2026

Analysis

Zverev arrives in Shanghai in the kind of groove that suits his game: he beat Alexander Bublik 2-1, saw off Quentin Halys 2-1 and came through against Yibing Wu without dropping a set, with his only recent loss a 1-2 defeat to Novak Djokovic. The hard courts and heavy, humid Shanghai air reward exactly what he does best — a huge first serve, long baseline exchanges and a backhand he can hold all day — and Davidovich Fokina has to find a way to disrupt that rhythm. The Spaniard is far from out of form himself, having beaten Hubert Hurkacz 2-1 away, Frances Tiafoe 2-1 and Jenson Brooksby in straight sets, though he lost a three-setter to Matteo Berrettini at the turn of the month. His drop shots, variety and willingness to take the ball early can drag Zverev out of position, and he has the legs to stretch this into a long night. The likeliest shape is Zverev winning but being made to work, which is why a deciding set is close to a coin flip here.