The first Masters 1000 event on the ATP tour since May has arrived in Toronto. The top eight seeds have received byes into the second round, but there are still many excellent matchups to enjoy in the first round. Former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini is just one of many players in action on the first day. We look at all of the matches, four of them in this article. The other nine are split between two articles. One features Milos Raonic vs Frances Tiafoe and the second features Gael Monfils vs Christopher Eubanks. Which players do you think will advance to the next round of the ATP Toronto Masters?
ATP Toronto Day 1 Predictions
Alexis Galarneau vs Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-head: First meeting
Wild card Galarneau is #192 in the world, and faces #21 ranked Cerundolo. On paper it seems like a mismatch. There are three positives Galarneau can lean on. Firstly he won his first ever Challenger event on home soil in Granby in the last tournament he played a couple of weeks ago. Secondly Cerundolo had to retire with an injury in Hamburg in his last match, so Galarneau can hope the Argentine is not 100% fit. Thirdly Galarneau will have his home fans to roar for him on Centre Court. Is all that enough for an upset to be achieved? Probably not, but it would not be a major surprise if the Canadian crowd pushed Galarneau to win a set. Cerundolo should still have too much class.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Jiri Lehecka vs Brandon Nakashima
Head-to-head: Nakashima 2-0 Lehecka
Nakashima’s Washington loss to Andy Murray summed up his season well. He looked good for long periods, but was second best in the big moments. His win/loss record of 9-14 is a far cry from his excellent season last year. The American did beat Lehecka twice at the Next Gen ATP Finals at the end of last season. But it is the 21-year-old Czech player who has pushed on much better this year. His quarterfinal and 4th round appearances at the Australian Open and Wimbledon are a testament to that. At his best Nakashima has a very good backhand and can trouble Lehecka by pinning him in backhand cross-court rallies. However Lehecka’s level has been so superior this year it is difficult not to back him to progress to the next stage of the ATP Toronto Masters.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
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Matteo Arnaldi vs Vasek Pospisil
Head-to-head: First meeting
33-year-old wild card Pospisil has a 2013 semifinal to his name at his home tournament, and will be seeking inspiration on the ten-year anniversary of that achievement. Unfortunately he has lost in the first round in his last five appearances at this event. The three-time ATP finalist is also far below the Top 100 currently. By contrast Arnaldi is playing some of the best tennis in his career. He is at a career high ranking of #65, and was one set away from the final in Umag in his last tournament. The Italian also looked very sharp in his straight set wins in qualifying for the main draw. Arnaldi does like clay the most, but has won a Challenger event on hard courts this season. I do not think Pospisil and the home crowd will stop the momentum of the Umag semifinalist.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 2
Cristian Garin vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: Garin 1-0 Kecmanovic
Kecmanovic may view the #101 ranked and clay preferring Garin as a good first round matchup. But the Chilean has reached the fourth round of Indian Wells and the third round of Miami, and is not to be underestimated. Garin showed his hard hitting ability in the set he won 6-1 a few weeks ago against Casper Ruud, albeit in what was eventually a losing effort. The Serbian did lose to Garin in Madrid this year, although that was on clay, and was a very close match. Kecmanovic has reached two finals this season and has been consistently better this year. But I am going with Garin to cause a minor upset. Despite his ranking the former Wimbledon quarterfinalist has reached at least the third round of all the Masters events he has played, and has progressed to the third round of the ATP Toronto Masters in the past. By contrast Kecmanovic exited in the first round in his only two appearances in Canada.
Prediction: Garin in 3
Matteo Berrettini vs Gregoire Barrere
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is Berrettini’s first match since Wimbledon. It is easy to forget how early he still is in his comeback from his injury since he had a good run at SW19 before running into Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian has actually never won a match at this tournament. His sole appearance was a first round loss last year, although that was in Montreal. Barrere is talented, and is having his best season on the ATP tour to date. He was unfortunate to play Dan Evans last week in Washington, who of course ended up having an inspired week. This is a tricky match for Berrettini, and post-Wimbledon rustiness is a possibility. But he should still have enough to get through.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
