A spot in the next round is at stake on Thursday, when Vit Kopriva goes up against Zizou Bergs in the Shanghai first round. Zizou Bergs has dropped 2 straight and sits at 4-6 over the last ten. Vit Kopriva is 3-7 across recent matches.

Hold strength tells the story — 72.5% versus 66.5% on first-serve points in Bergs's favor. The edge belongs to Bergs — real, but not the kind you take for granted at this level.