Another packed day of ATP Toronto tennis is scheduled for Wednesday. Ben Shelton will start his campaign against the veteran Adrian Mannarino, and the recent DC Citi Open runner-up, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, is also set to compete. Those matches and two others are predicted in this article. We here at LWOT predict the rest of the action in our articles, including Taylor Fritz vs Roberto Carballes Baena, Frances Tiafoe vs Yosuke Watanuki, and Alex de Minaur vs Francisco Comesana.
ATP Toronto Day 4 Predictions
Brandon Nakashima vs Ethan Quinn
Head-to-head: Nakashima 1-0 Quinn
Nakashima defeated Quinn 6-3 6-4 at last week’s Citi DC Open in Washington. Quinn’s impressive development this year means another easy win for his slightly older compatriot is not guaranteed. However, Nakashima does start as the favorite. His flat-hitting and impressive two-handed backhand is well-suited to stifling Quinn. The conditions in Toronto are slightly slower in Toronto than in Washington, but Nakashima’s best tennis is superior on any hard court.
Prediction: Nakashima in 2
Andrey Rublev vs Hugo Gaston
Head-to-head: First meeting
Considering what he is capable of, Rublev was absolutely terrible in his opening-round loss to Learner Tien at the Citi DC Open. If the four-time US Open quarterfinalist plays like that again, any player inside the Top 100 would have a chance of winning against him. Despite his challenging season so far, I do not think someone of Rublev’s class can play that badly in consecutive matches. A moderate improvement would probably be enough to overcome Gaston.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Corentin Moutet
Head-to-head: First meeting
Recovering from his heartbreaking final defeat in Washington to Alex de Minaur after holding match points could be challenging for Davidovich Fokina. Starting against Moutet, who beat 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev in his run to the semifinal at the DC Citi Open, makes it even tougher. The Frenchman thrashed Jenson Brooksby in the opening round in Toronto as well. This match might come too soon for Daviovich Fokina to compete properly.
Prediction: Moutet in 3
Ben Shelton vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-head: Mannarino 2-0 Shelton
Mannarino beat Shelton in five sets at the 2024 Australian Open. After that moment, the 37-year-old’s form dipped significantly for the rest of 2024. Although he has found some form lately and caused Shelton issues in their previous meetings with his unconventional style, I like the American’s chances of getting a first win. The conditions suit Shelton more, and Mannarino’s returning skills have declined in the last 18 months.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
