In the upcoming Paris Masters, Joao Fonseca is set to resume his tournament journey after a successful Basel campaign. He will face Denis Shapovalov in the first round on Tuesday. This match marks a rematch of their previous encounter, where Shapovalov retired due to injury.
Match Preview: Shapovalov vs. Fonseca
Fonseca, fresh off his ATP 500 title victory in Basel, enters the Paris Masters with confidence. He demonstrated remarkable prowess throughout the Basel tournament, winning all of his matches without dropping a single set except for one in the semifinals. He defeated Jaume Munar and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in commanding fashion.
In contrast, Shapovalov’s recent performance raises questions. The Canadian player retired in their Basel quarterfinal clash while trailing 1-4 in the third set. His recent workload includes a semifinal finish in Stockholm, leading to potential fatigue concerns as he steps onto the court in Paris.
- Joao Fonseca: Recent ATP 500 champion, strong form in Basel.
- Denis Shapovalov: Ranked 24th, dealing with injury concerns after Basel retirement.
Matchup: Vacherot vs. Lehecka
Another intriguing matchup features Valentin Vacherot taking on Jiri Lehecka. If Vacherot wins, he will likely face his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, in a second-round showdown, reminiscent of their previous encounter in the Shanghai Masters final.
Vacherot, currently ranked 40th in the world, displayed great talent in Basel, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Taylor Fritz in a competitive match. His opponent, 18th-ranked Lehecka, had a shaky performance in Basel, losing 2-6, 2-6 to Botic van de Zandschulp. However, he had earlier strong results, advancing to the Shanghai fourth round and the Brussels final.
- Valentin Vacherot: Nebulous run in Basel, strong motivation for Paris.
- Jiri Lehecka: Recent poor performance, facing pressure with upcoming Davis Cup Finals.
Predictions
The outlook for these matches suggests a compelling first round. Fonseca’s consistent performance points to a potential victory against Shapovalov. Meanwhile, Vacherot’s local support in Paris might give him an edge over Lehecka. Expected outcomes are:
- Fonseca to defeat Shapovalov in three sets.
- Vacherot to win against Lehecka in three sets.
