Shanghai Masters: Djokovic and Federer favorites

The Bulgarian tennis ace, Grigor Dimitrov and the Spaniard Fernando Verdasco withdrew from the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The tournament would start next week. Dimitrov has stepped on the Shanghai Masters courts six times in his career. After debuting in the year 2011. Last year, the 27-year-old Bulgarian made it to the last eight of the tournament. It was his best performance in the Chinese metropolis, Shanghai and eventually lost of Rafael Nadal. The reigning ATP finals champ, Dimitrov was stunned in Beijing as he suffered a defeat from the Serb Dusan Lajovic in the pre-quarters. After the World Number 8, made an early exit from Beijing, he expressed gratitude towards all of his fans in China.  He shook hands with the everyone in the group. The group had a banner reading out, “Love & support you, Grigor”.

The Spaniard, Verdasco also wouldn’t be part of the Shanghai Masters event. He has won any match since the year 2013. Verdasco made it to the pre-quarters last year and lost to the Croatian, Marin Cilic. This year he is failing to make his ninth appearance in Shanghai Masters. In the interim, the main draw has opened its doors for Italian Andreas Seppi and German Maximilian Marterer.

Meanwhile, Federer and Djokovic are geared up to make their first ATP appearance since the US Open. The duo last participated in the Laver Cup event. Djokovic happens to be the favourite face of the tournament. Owing to the fact of his recent victories at Wimbledon, Cincinnati Masters and the US Open. Besides that, if he pulls off the title in Shanghai he would give a cut-throat competition in terms of ranking to the World Number one, Rafael Nadal. The Serb could meet his Australian Open conqueror, Hyeon Chung or the French Open defeater, Marco Cecchinato the early round. Also, the quarterfinal could be the repeat of the Wimbledon final against Kevin Anderson. Additionally, the German lad Alexander Zverev is in the same draw. 

However, the defending champion, Federer has meticulously worked to retain his Chinese Masters Crown. Also, the Swiss legend happens to have a tough route to the final. The former World Number three Milos Raonic and Juan Martin del Porto are in the same half as Federer.