American Sebastian Korda will lock horns with Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in the round of 16 at the 2023 Shanghai Masters. The match will be played on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

Sebastian Korda pulled one of the upsets of the tournament as he knocked out second seed Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. It is the second time this season that the lanky American has obliterated the Russian, having done so almost effortlessly at this year’s Australian Open. But Korda will certainly hope there aren’t any ominous effects from beating Medvedev again. In Melbourne, he would retire due to a wrist injury in the quarterfinal and returned to the courts in late April. It was a pyrrhic victory that contributed to the stop-start season that Korda has endured in 2023. He’ll hope that is not going to happen here after finding his feet in Asia.

Francisco Cerundolo, for his part, has managed to tally back-to-back wins on the ATP Tour for the first time since July. The Argentine was very cold during the US swing where he won two matches in three tournaments. But he’s been comprised and laser-focused at the Shanghai Masters, where he dug out a gutsy 7-6, 7-6 win over Mackenzie McDonald before downing Marton Fucsovics in three sets. Cerundolo is inching closer to rejoin the world’s Top 20, and a win on Tuesday will be the first step to get there.

Sebastian Korda and Francisco Cerundolo have not played each other on the ATP Tour, which only adds to the intrigue. Both players possess a point-ending shot up their sleeves. Cerundolo’s forehand needs no introduction, but his general solidity from the baseline makes him tough to hit through. But I like Korda’s chances here. He’s been serving flawlessly, and his rally tolerance was excellent against Medvedev who is the ultimate counterpuncher in men’s tennis. I can see Korda coming out all guns blazing behind his monstrous first serve, and if he dominates from there, then the rest of his game will follow suit.