Shanghai Semifinal Previews: Hurkacz vs. Korda; Dimitrov vs. Rublev

Hubert Hurkacz vs. Sebastian Korda

Hurkacz and Korda opened the year with a marathon fourth-round match at the Australian Open, which the American won 10-7 in a fifth-set match tiebreaker. Korda is smooth and Hurkacz is, as his name implies, herky-jerky. But they’re both 6’5” and they win points in similar ways: With powerful serves, attacking forehands, two-handed backhands, and tactical forays to the net. They’re both, in other words, exemplars of 2020s tennis.

Neither has had quite the season they may have been hoping for back in January. After reaching the quarters in Melbourne, Korda would go 1-3 at the majors the rest of the way, and is currently ranked 26th. Hurkacz, despite a pair of close contests with Carlos Alcaraz this summer, has lost his spot in the Top 10, and currently sits at No. 17.

Like their match in Australia, this one could go either way. But with wins over Daniil Medvedev, Francisco Cerundolo, and a minor epic against countryman Ben Shelton, Korda has had the more impressive week so far. Winner: Korda

Grigor Dimitrov vs. Andrey Rublev

“Tremendous guy,” Dimitrov said of Rublev when he was asked about this semifinal. “I don’t think I have enough words to say on him.”

The 32-year-old Bulgarian and the 25-year-old Russian are popular players who get along well, and this match will surely be played in a respectful spirit. As opponents, though, each has dished out as much punishment as he’s absorbed. They’re 3-3, and if they weren’t such friendly guys, they might have a contentious little rivalry going.

Each is winding up a solid season. Rublev is ranked seventh and has reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals; Dimitrov is ranked 19th and has reached the round of 16 at two Slams. This will be their first meeting of 2023; in 2022, Rublev beat Dimitrov in Indian Wells, and Dimitrov turned the tables in Vienna.

The match will offer a potentially entertaining contrast. Dimitrov plays a smooth all-court game with a one-handed backhand and a variety of spins. Rublev, meanwhile, looks to pummels every ball, and slugs his backhand with two hands.

“You know what’s going to happen,” Dimitrov says of a match with Rublev. “You know he’s going to compete, you know he’s going to hit everything that comes his way.”

Rublev and Dimitrov have won just one 1000-level event apiece. Who will be more motivated, and less nervous, about this rare chance at a second? Winner: Rublev