Opportunities abound once again for the next generation of tennis stars with the ‘Big Two’ missing ATP Montreal this year. Before I get attacked by the Roger Federer fans, he can have his place back when he returns to a tennis court. Until then, we have a ‘Big Two’. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Daniil Medvedev vs Nick Kyrgios, Casper Ruud vs Alex Molcan and Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Yoshihito Nishioka. But who will advance?
ATP Montreal Day 3 Predictions
Gael Monfils vs Maxime Cressy
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a tough one to call. Maxime Cressy is in superb form and having an amazing year. He recently won a title in Newport and is one of the standouts of 2022. However, his hard court success hasn’t been quite as prolific as his grass court play. Equally important in hedging your bets on the American here is the man across the net from him. Gael Monfils played for the first time since may in his first round victory. For most, a lack of form and matches is an issue. However, the Frenchman is the kind of player who can turn it on at anytime. If he is fit and his game is firing he can beat almost anyone. It’s been a while since we had a Monfils spectacle and this has the makings of one. I’m backing the Frenchman to put on a show here.
Prediction: Monfils in 3
Holger Rune vs Pablo Carreno-Busta
Head-to-head: 2 – 0 Carreno-Busta
These two have met twice since the start of last year. Both times the calm head and consistent play of Pablo Carreno-Busta has got the job done. Holger Rune arguably has a higher ceiling, but his emotions get the best of him and he is often guilty of going for too much. Carreno-Busta is a very good player on all surfaces and rarely loses a match himself. If Rune wants to win here he must be aggressive once again. What will make the difference is whether he can control that aggression and unleash at the right times. Something tells me he will have learnt from their previous encounters. Rune wins here.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Jannik Sinner vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-head: 1 – 0 Sinner
Jannik Sinner is still just twenty years old. It says a lot about his talent that most view him as an elite talent on the tour who they expect to win more often than not. The Italian has shown he has the game to take on the very best and, with six ATP titles already, it is perhaps only a matter of time before he starts claiming bigger trophies. Adrian Mannarino is a tricky opponent who redirects power well. However, it is hard to see him being able to live with Sinner’s groundstrokes for long enough to win two sets. If Sinner serves at a decent clip he should win this one easily enough.
Prediction: Sinner in 2
Andrey Rublev vs Daniel Evans
Head-to-head: 4 – 3 Rublev
These two have been part of some epic encounters in recent years. Daniel Evans’ court craft is the perfect antidote to Rublev’s bludgeoning game. The Russian is often guilty of failing to have a plan B when murdering every ball in his sight doesn’t work out for him. That being said, his point construction has improved massively and he is a legitimate top five player. The next step for him is a bigger tournament win, having several ATP 500 titles to his name already. ATP Montreal without Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal is a perfect opportunity. He will likely face some stern opposition throughout, but I expect Rublev to at least make the quarterfinals here and that means Evans must fall by the wayside in this one.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
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