ATP Masters 1000 Toronto quarterfinals
De Minaur – Shelton: Time TBA
H2H: first meeting
Alex de Minaur has won eight straight matches. Last week in Washington, de Minaur won the ATP 500 title, defeating Davidovich Fokina in the final. He even saved three matchpoints in the deciding set. This week, de Minaur won the opening match against Comesana in straight sets easily. Christopher O’Connell withdrew from the third-round match against de Minaur. His toughest challenge happened in the 1/8-Finals. After fighting for over two hours, the Australian defeated Tiafoe in three tight sets. He was great under pressure in the deciding set, saving both breakpoints he offered.
Ben Shelton has won three of his last five matches. Last week in Washington, Shelton lost to Davidovich Fokina in the semifinals in straight sets. This week in Toronto, the American defeated Mannarino in straight sets in the opening match. He saved both breakpoints. In the third round, he won against Nakashima in three tight sets, after losing the opening set 6-7. His toughest challenge came in the 1/8-Finals against Cobolli. Shelton trailed 3-5 in the deciding set against the Italian. However, he stayed calm under pressure and turned the match around.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, de Minaur is the slight favourite in this matchup, and we agree. He is in great form and has a playing style which Shelton does not prefer. We expect him to dominate on the backhand side and get a comfortable win tomorrow.
That being said, de Minaur winning is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Alex de Minaur winning @1.57 @bet365
Rublev – Fritz: Time TBA
H2H: 4-5
Andrey Rublev has won three of his last five matches. Last week in Washington, Rublev lost to Tien in the opening round in straight sets. This week in Toronto, Rublev defeated Gaston in the opening round in straight sets. In the third round, Rublev turned the match around against Sonego, after losing the opening set 5-7. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired mid-match in the deciding set against Rublev in the 1/8-Finals.
Taylor Fritz has won four of his last five matches. This week, Fritz had a rough opening match against Carballes Baena. After fighting for over two hours, the American won in straight sets. In the second set, Fritz trailed 3-5, but turned it around. He demolished Diallo in the second round, winning in straight sets easily. Taylor offered and saved only one breakpoint. Yesterday in the 1/8-Finals, the American defeated Lehecka in three tiebreaks. He was great under pressure, saving all nine breakpoints.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Fritz is the favourite in this matchup, and we agree. He is one of the best hard-court players on the tour. Fritz defeated Rublev in the past four head-to-head meetings on hard courts. The Russian struggled in the third and fourth rounds against solid, hard-court players. We expect Fritz to prolong his winning streak against Rublev on hard courts and win tomorrow.
That being said, Fritz covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Taylor Fritz -2.5 games handicap @1.83 @bet365
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
