The Rolex Shanghai Masters, one of the premier ATP Masters 1000 events, is underway, and among the intriguing matchups in the first round is the clash between David Goffin and James Duckworth. Scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 3, at 12:30 PM on Grandstand 2, this match promises to be an exciting encounter between two players with distinct career trajectories and recent form.
Player Profiles and Recent Form
David Goffin, ranked 65th in the world, enters the tournament with a respectable 40-24 win-loss record in 2024, including a 20-10 record on hard courts. His best result this season was winning the title at the Ilkley Challenger, where he defeated Harold Mayot in the final. Goffin has a strong overall career record of 641-374, with a notable 222-138 record on hard courts.
James Duckworth, ranked 72nd, has also had a solid year, boasting a 35-23 win-loss record, with 18-13 of those wins coming on hard courts. His best result in 2024 was reaching the final of the Shenzhen 1 Challenger. Duckworth has a career record of 484-313, with a significant 283-182 record on hard courts.
Head-to-Head and Match Prediction
This will be the second time David Goffin and James Duckworth face each other, with Duckworth leading the head-to-head 1-0. Their previous encounter was on hard courts, which Duckworth won. Despite this, predictions favor Goffin to win in three sets, given his recent form and overall performance on hard courts.
The odds currently stand at 1.71 for David Goffin and 2.14 for James Duckworth, indicating a slight edge for Goffin. However, Duckworth's resilience and recent performances make him a formidable opponent who could potentially upset Goffin.
Tournament Context and Schedule
The Rolex Shanghai Masters, part of the ATP Masters 1000 series, features a strong field including former Top 10 stars like Gael Monfils, Kei Nishikori, and Marin Cilic, as well as #NextGenATP players. The tournament began on Wednesday, October 2, with several key matches scheduled across different courts. Chinese players Wu Yibing and Shang Juncheng are also in action, highlighting the local talent in the competition.
For fans interested in following the match and the tournament, live streaming options are available through platforms like bet365, although these services may have geographical restrictions and require a funded account or a recent bet.
Historical Performance in Shanghai
David Goffin's best performance at the Shanghai Rolex Masters was reaching the quarterfinals in 2016. For James Duckworth, his best result in Shanghai was making it to the first round in 2023, where he lost to Yannick Hanfmann.
The ATP Masters 1000 series is a crucial part of the ATP Tour, providing significant ranking points and prize money. The Shanghai Masters is one of the key events in this series, attracting top players from around the world.
As the tournament progresses, fans can expect intense competition and potentially surprising outcomes. The match between Goffin and Duckworth is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting week of tennis in Shanghai.
