The highest seeds in action on Day 2 at the ATP Masters 1000 in Toronto are Casper Ruud(2) and Felix Auger-Aliassime(10). Both could be in trouble, although in Ruud’s case that’s related to the strength of his opponent, and Auger-Aliassime has just been in dire form. We also look at the rest of the day’s matches, split between two other articles. One features Andy Murray vs Lorenzo Sonego and the second features Cameron Norrie vs Alex de Minaur. Who do you think will advance to the next stage of the event?
ATP Toronto Day 2 Predictions
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Max Purcell
Head-to-head: 1-1
Max Purcell was killing the Challenger Tour earlier this year, but his slice-heavy style has been a bit exposed since joining the main tour ranks. That doesn’t have to be the case against Felix Auger-Aliassime, whom he has already scored a massive upset against at the Tokyo Olympics. The Canadian really needs to win here with just one victory since March. He finally has a favorable draw and it’s just extremely vital for him to take it.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 3
Ben Shelton vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ben Shelton is really struggling at the moment and if he can’t start winning matches, he’s going to be in big trouble by the Australian Open. The last two losses came against Juncheng Shang who’s a tricky opponent for him, but you also rarely see the American so quiet and lethargic. Maybe the Washington doubles final run will help him rediscover the fun in his game. Bernabe Zapata Miralles is 0-8 off-clay this year, so this is a wonderful chance for Shelton.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
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Emil Ruusuvuori vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: Giron 1-0
Marcos Giron did well to qualify, although the set of opponents he had to face was pretty weak and also really defensive in terms of the playstyles. He’s facing a completely different challenge here. Emil Ruusuvuori will take the game to him and it’s hard to see this being anything else than a match where the Finn controls the rallies. The big ask is whether he can keep himself straight against such a solid opponent. On the Toronto courts, he theoretically should.
Prediction: Ruusuvori in 2
Casper Ruud vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-head: Ruud 1-0
Jiri Lehecka survived a dramatic match with Brandon Nakashima, where he simply was the braver player in the deciding set tie-break. Now he gets the opportunity to play Casper Ruud, who’s always one of the more fragile top seeds off-clay. If the Czech comes out with lots of intention to go forward and takes the game to his opponent, the first match of the hard season is a bit of a perfect opportunity to produce a win like this.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
