Time to talk tennis, ladies and gents. We've got a veritable clash of the titans on their hands. Well, in a manner of speaking, of course. The Shanghai Masters are heating up - and Arthur Fils and Roberto Carballes Baena are about to bring the fire.
Let's start with our French friend, Fils. The 21st seed in this tourney, and he's been justifying that rank. Fils, in most recent times, has tasted more victory than defeat, giving tough cookies like Humbert U. and Rune H. love on the scoreboard. He's got a solid footing in the tournament, and if momentum is anything to go by, Fils has quite the leg up.
On to Mr. Baena. The Spaniard doesn't boast the laurel of tournament seed. Not exactly love, is it? His recent record is a tad tumultuous with some big wins, and some losses. The guy managed to overcome Bautista Agut but failed to put up the same fight against Khachanov and Kotov. Consistency is key in any sport, and Baena's key seems to have slipped a bit.
So where does that leave us? Humorous commentary aside, Fils seems to have the fire in his belly, and a sturdy grip on his racket. Baena? Well, he's left it a little too whimsical up to now. We might see the Spaniard causing an upset, yes. But the safe bet seems to lean towards Arthur Fils, not in a match that goes the distance though.
Albert's Prediction: Fils in straight sets.