A clash between two former champions is the headline act on on what promises to be an entertaining day five at ATP Toronto with eight matches on the slate. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Alexander Zverev vs Matteo Arnaldi. But who will book their spot in the last 16?
ATP Toronto Day 5 Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Emilio Nava
Head-to-head: first meeting
Emilio Nava has three quarterfinals to his name since the start of June with his recent uptick pushing him closer to a top 100 breakthrough. A win over Karen Khachanov will put him on the brink. But that is easier said than done. The Russian was at his free-flowing best to begin the tournament, dismissing Juan Pablo Ficovich in straight sets, dropping just six games. Expect Khachanov to be the better player in the big moments.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
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Casper Ruud vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-head: Ruud 1-1 Borges
This will be a French Open rematch, almost two months on from Nuno Borges stunning 2-6 6-4 6-1 6-0 over Casper Ruud in the second round at Roland Garros. But it’s tough to read too much into that. The Norwegian had been struggling with an injury for much of the clay-court swing and was clearly unfit to play when they met in Paris. He then didn’t feature on grass because of a knee injury. A healthy Ruud should be a class above Borges, and this will be a good opportunity to avenge that defeat at ATP Toronto.
Prediction: Ruud in 2
Holger Rune vs Alexandre Muller
Head-to-head: Rune 1-0 Muller
Holger Rune secured a massive win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, his first in over a month. That might just be a turning point for the 22-year-old who demonstrated his hard-court credential by reaching the fina in Indian Wells during the Sunshine Double (though he was well-beaten there by Jack Draper). With some of the big guns missing in Toronto, Rune will surely believe he can get his hand on another Masters title should he make it to the deep end of the draw. This is unlikely to be an entirely straightforward day for the Dane with Alexandre Muller not to be underestimated, but the match up still favours him.
Prediction: Rune in 3
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Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin
Head-to-head: Medvedev 4-1 Popyrin
Alexei Popyrin became one of the most unexpected Masters champions in this tournament last season. But the Australian has been candid about his struggles this season. His game was all over the place during the grass-court swing. Although he picked up a confidence-boosting straight sets win in his opening match of his title defense, Popyrin has not been playing with a lot of ryhthm, both tactically and mentally. Daniil Medvedev will bring a much higher floor despite his own inconsistencies and looking physically drained in some of his matches. With Popyrin short of his best, Medvedev is likely to seize that advantage.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
