Shanghai, Linz Predictions: Federer-Monfils, Raonic-Wawrinka and Stephens-Petkovic

1. Roger Federer v Gael Monfils (Shanghai, R3)

Roger Federer

Thursday's line-up in Shanghai is pretty epic and the top match will see Roger Federer take on Gael Monfils.  Federer has stolen the show on Twitter in the past few days, but he was solid enough on the tennis court in defeating Andreas Seppi, 6-4 6-3 for his 10th consecutive win over the Italian.  Monfils also came through in straight sets against the young Canadian, Vasek Pospisil, 7-5 7-6(4).  Federer leads the head-to-head with Monfils by 6 wins to 1 with Monfils's one triumph coming indoors at Bercy in 2012.  Monfils is a flashy player, who can certainly raise his game to the occasion so don't be surprised if he gets a set here... Federer for the win though.

Prediction - Federer to beat Monfils in 3 sets

2. Milos Raonic v Stanislas Wawrinka (Shanghai, R3)

Andy Murray has pulled out the World Tour Finals at the O2, which means that 3 out of 5 from Roger Federer, Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Stanislas Wawrinka and Milos Raonic are likely to fill up the remaining spots.  Two of those contenders, Raonic and Wawrinka will go head-to-head in this fascinating 3rd rounder with the winner boosting their chances of qualifying for a first ever WTF.  Both came through tough three setters today; Raonic lost the middle set to Fernando Verdasco, but rebounded strongly to come home, 7-6(1) 3-6 6-3 for his 11th win in his last 12 matches.  Wawrinka was down 5-2 in a third set tiebreak with Kevin Anderson, but won the next 5 points to edge into the last 16.  Wawrinka beat Raonic in their only previous encounter at Cincy last year, which went the distance.  I really think this one will go 3 sets and I see Milos squeaking by this time...

Prediction - Raonic to beat Wawrinka in 3 tight sets

3. Sloane Stephens v Andrea Petkovic (Linz, R2)

Andrea Petkovic

Black Wednesday was the most dramatic day of the 2013 tennis calendar, but one headline you were likely to have missed was Sloane Stephens's 8-6 third set victory over Andrea Petkovic in a hidden gem of a match.  It was a fabulous contest and I am excited to see the pair play each other again, this time indoors in Linz.  I thought Sloane would face a tough match against Magdalena Rybarikova, but she won rather convincingly losing just 4 games.  Petkovic struggled to close out Austrian home favourite, Yvonne Meusburger and eventually served it out for a straight sets win.  Sloane won that match at Wimbledon, but Petkovic had won their first encounter in Carlsbad back in 2011.  I still cannot see Sloane claiming her first WTA title here despite a solid opening win and am backing Petko to make the quarters.

Prediction - Petkovic to beat Stephens in 2 tight sets

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