Quarterfinal day here at the Montreal Rogers Cup means that we are edging closer and closer to the business end of the tournament. The headline match is arguably the defending champion and the current World No. 2, Rafael Nadal taking on the reigning Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters champion, Fabio Fognini. Other notable players in action are the second seed, Dominic Thiem, and the World No.7 Alexander Zverev.
Eight still remain in the field, only four spots left for the semifinals. Who will take it?
ATP Montreal Rogers Cup Quarterfinals
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Gael Monfils
Head-to-head: Monfils leads 3-1
The Spaniard has been playing some of the best tennis of his life and is yet to drop a set all week. Monfils, meanwhile, has been more of a hit and miss in terms of form. The Frenchman has struggled with an Achilles injury for a substantial amount of time this season and does tend to have lapses of concentration in his matches. Against, Bautista Agut, the former world no. 6 cannot afford to do that.
It will be a big test for both players if they beat each other. But it should be the current world no.13 that eventually gets through to the semifinals.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov
Head-to-head: Zverev leads 2-1
The third seed, Alexander Zverev, really had to slug it out against the Georgian, Nikoloz Basilashvili, in his previous match. Karen Khachanov has had a similar path, as he had to edge both Stan Wawrinka and Felix Auger-Aliassime to get to this stage of the competition.
However, the current World No. 7 did not look entirely confident throughout his match, especially with his second serve- producing 14 double faults along the way. If the German cannot particular fix that issue against Khachanov, he will find it difficult to break through and win in the end.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Dominic Thiem vs Daniil Medvedev
Head-to-head: Thiem leads 2-0
Medvedev has been extremely in-form recently as he reached the final in Washington last week, and now in the quarterfinal stage here and is still yet to drop a set. Thiem, meanwhile, has looked sharp as well as he knocked out the former US Open champion, Marin Cilic, in straight sets in his previous round match.
It should be a close encounter considering how good both these players are playing right now. But the favourite to eventually come through should be the current World No. 9, Medvedev. The young Russian has literally been a human wall all week, and if he continues to play at this level, expect him to be here on the finals day here at the Montreal Rogers Cup.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Rafael Nadal vs Fabio Fognini
Head-to-head: Nadal leads 11-4
Both players have been looking formidable throughout all their matches this week. But a possible major upset is certainly in the cards here. Even though the World No. 11 has only beaten the Spaniard once on a hard court (2015 US Open), the Italian has been playing with high intensity and focus this week.
In the past, the problem for Fognini was constantly being unable to bring out his best in the big matches. But with the Italian playing this well right now, it will be difficult for anyone to stop him.
Prediction: Fognini in 3
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