Rublev Faces Nishioka in Intense Shanghai Masters Matchup

SHANGHAI, China — No. 13 seed Andrey Rublev will battle Yoshihito Nishioka in the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters Round of 64, aiming to end a three-match losing streak. Nishioka, the Japanese southpaw, advanced through qualifying to reach this stage of the tournament. Meanwhile, Rublev was the men’s doubles runner-up in Beijing last week and seeks his second singles title of the year.

Rublev, currently ranked No. 14, has a winning ratio just under 60%. He looks to improve on his Round of 64 exit from the 2024 Shanghai Masters, which presents a crucial opportunity for ranking points. He aims to turn around his recent performance, having lost in his last two tournaments.

Nishioka has been in impressive form, winning three qualifying matches without dropping a set. The World No. 73 previously made it to the Top 25, though this campaign has been rough, with a current tour-level record of 10-16. He recently defeated Shevchenko 6-1, 6-2 in the Round of 128.

Historically, Rublev leads their head-to-head, winning three out of five matches. Their last encounter was at the Masters-1000 in Paris Bercy in 2023, in which Rublev won in straight sets.

The match is expected to be competitive, with Rublev’s power serve being a significant factor. He needs to maintain high first-serve percentages to pressure Nishioka, who may employ a deeper court position. Betting odds favor Rublev, who has an 80% chance of advancing, while Nishioka is viewed as the underdog.

As the match unfolds, both players will look to take control early on and establish their game plans on the outdoor hard courts of Shanghai.