Francisco Cerundolo vs Roman Safiullin Prediction Shanghai Rolex Masters - Shanghai · Oct 9, 2026

Analysis

Francisco Cerundolo arrives in Shanghai with a mixed but respectable recent sequence: a 2-0 win over Jakub Mensik and a 2-1 comeback against Botic Van De Zandschulp, offset by straight-sets defeat to Daniil Medvedev on 4 October and a 1-2 loss to Casper Ruud. Roman Safiullin, by contrast, is the man in rhythm, having won three matches in a row in straight sets (Rinky Hijikata, Shintaro Mochizuki and Alexis Galarneau all taken 2-0) after pushing Andrey Rublev to a third set. The stylistic read favours the Argentine on balance: Cerundolo's heavy forehand and improved movement on medium-paced hard courts give him the more reliable baseline platform, while Safiullin's flat, aggressive first-strike game is high-variance and depends on his serve landing. Shanghai's humid, slightly slower conditions tend to dull free points and reward the better rally builder, which nudges the edge towards Cerundolo. Safiullin's form and matchplay sharpness are real, though, so a competitive three-setter is very much in play rather than a routine win.