Shanghai - New Face?

With Nadal missing with injury, Federer tired and looking increasingly unlikely to feature, Djokovic tired from a very long season and Murray on a long victory parade, could Shanghai see a new champion outside the top 10 for the first time since Ljubicic at IW in 2010? For me Shanghai serves as a good chance as any in recent time. Berdych will have the DC to think about. Tsonga is badly out of form. Ferrer has the DC to think about too like Berdych. Tipsarevic isn't doing enough to convince me he could pull it off. Del Potro is hurting. Isner is out of form. Could we see a new victor from outside the top 10?

Unless Tommy Haas fancies it I don't think so. I actually think Mr Murray will win it as know he's playing it and has won the last 2 tournaments there.

If I had to make a guess for a player outside the Top 10 I definitely wouldn't put my money on Gasquet even though he's the most "talented". Haas maybe, or perhaps Stan the Man. Or maybe someone really random like Almagro.

This is the start of Murray's golden reign.

Is Raonic playing? If so, could be his breakthrough

Get the impression though that a good Murray peformance would be enough to win

Just read that Del Potro has to rest his wrist for a month so not sure he'll be on top form either. If anyone outside the top 4 is going to do it, Raonic is a good shout. My money is on Murray or Djokovic (Nadal still out and Fed exhausted).

BTW voted no.

I like Berdych as a good threat on indoors. He is tall and has a high toss on his serve that is aided by indoor conditions. As his flat shots from the baseline are aided as well. I think Berdych is a good surprise pick but it probably will be Murray or Djoko if Fed is out. If Fed is there it will be a three horse race.

Shanghai is played outdoors though, unless it rains and they use the roof.

Ferrer can finally break his duck

problem with Ferrer is I don't see him beating any of the top 4 if they play near their best, he just doesn't have the firepower (on HC, I'd back him to beat Murray on clay anytime). Berdych could have a chance, Tsonga isn't playing all that well at the moment. Tipsarevic too up and down. Almagro doesn't have the game. Del Potro not fully fit, Isner out of form.

Just can't see beyond Murray or Djokovic for this one (assuming Federer is indeed going to pull out)

How fast is it compared to other outdoor hard?

Henman Bill wrote:How fast is it compared to other outdoor hard?

It was quick last year I remember Florian Mayer beating Nadal in Shanghai with volleys

it was pretty quick last year IIRC, not as quick as Tokyo was (or Dubai this year) but quicker than the US Open say.