The ATP Montreal Rogers Cup will be the 6th Masters 1000 tournament of the year. The tournament will bring all the world’s top players together as they will get their US Open preparations underway here. Some Day 1 featured players will be this year’s Wimbledon semifinalist, Roberto Bautista-Agut, and former world no.7 Richard Gasquet. (We also have more Day 1 ATP Montreal Rogers Cup previews and predictions.)
ATP Montreal Rogers Cup Day 1 Predictions
Mikhail Kukushkin vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-head: Mannarino leads 4-0
Kukushkin could really be a dark horse here at Montreal. The 31-year-old has had a good run of tournaments recently by reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon and quarterfinals at Los Cabos last week.
Even though the pair’s head-to-head suggests a lopsided advantage to the French veteran, their last meeting was way back in 2016. If the Kazakhstani can play as he did in the past few weeks, he should advance against Mannarino. He also has a good chance of pulling a few upsets here at the Montreal if his form holds up.
Prediction: Kukushkin in 3
Tommy Paul vs Brayden Schnur
Head-to-head: Schnur leads 1-0
This could be a close match as Schnur, coming from Canada, will definitely get the home crowd support. The constant cheering for Schnur by the fans could disrupt Paul’s rhythm on-court.
Paul has come through to the main draw as a qualifier, and historically, qualifiers are more dangerous than an automatic main draw opponent. The 22-year-old American, Tommy Paul, could draw on his previous qualifying match experiences to edge Schnur, as he already knows the conditions and speed of the court
Prediction: Paul in 3
Benoit Paire vs Richard Gasquet
Head-to-head: Gasquet leads 6-1
Even though Gasquet leads a lopsided 6-1 in their head-to-head, the favourite coming is actually the other Frenchman, Benoit Paire.
Gasquet has struggled with a groin injury for a substantial amount of time this season and has not had the best results recently.
Paire, meanwhile, has been playing good tennis the past few months and won the Lyon Open back in May. Paire will know Gasquet’s struggles this season and despite only beating him once in his career, he will know he has a good chance of beating him for the second time.
Prediction: Paire in 3
Roberto Bautista-Agut vs Bernard Tomic
Head-to-head: 1-1 tied
Another potential dark horse here at the Montreal Roger Cup could be this year’s Wimbledon semifinalist, Roberto Bautista-Agut. The 31-old-year Spaniard has accumulated an impressive 29-13 win/loss record this season and is on his career-best singles ranking of 13.
Tomic, on the other hand, has been playing qualifiers and Challengers throughout the season due to inconsistency. Even though the Australian has had some match experience already here at Montreal by coming through as a qualifier, Bautista-Agut is in one of the best forms of his career. Also, the Spaniard has only lost in the opening round of a tournament twice this season.
Prediction: Bautista-Agut in 2
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
