Seventh seed Denis Shapovalov opens his Chengdu week against Tallon Griekspoor in the most dangerous unseeded-versus-seeded matchup in the bottom half of the draw.
This is a first-strike contest between two players who prefer short points. Shapovalov's single-handed backhand and left-handed serve translate well to a quick outdoor hard court, and Chengdu plays fast enough in the afternoon that his serve should produce free points. When he is in rhythm, he is a top-20 player. When he is not, the error count climbs past forty and the match slips away without a clear turning point.
Griekspoor is the more reliable week-to-week operator. The Dutchman's forehand is a legitimate weapon and he serves well, but his backhand can be attacked, and Shapovalov's cross-court lefty forehand aims directly at it.
The draw context matters. With Valentin Vacherot, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Alejandro Tabilo and Botic van de Zandschulp all receiving first-round byes, the unseeded and lower-seeded players are effectively fighting for a round-of-16 spot against a rested top seed.
Shapovalov in three. He has the higher ceiling on this surface, and this is a draw where a hot serving day wins matches outright.