Toronto R2 previews and predictions: Dimitrov vs. Verdasco, Cilic vs. Coric

Grigor Dimitrov and Marin Cilic will likely have tough Toronto openers on their hands following first-round byes. They are set to go up against Fernando Verdasco and Borna Coric, respectively, during second-round action on Tuesday.

(5) Grigor Dimitrov vs. Fernando Verdasco

Dimitrov and Verdasco will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers and for the third time this season when they meet again at the Rogers Cup on Tuesday. Verdasco has taken a 3-2 lead in the head-to-head series thanks to a 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3 victory at the Indian Wells Masters and a 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-4 rout at the French Open. That third-round showdown at Roland Garros was the only one of their first five encounters that did not require a deciding set.

Verdasco booked his spot in this matchup with a 6-2, 6-2 beatdown of Peter Gojowyczk on Monday, improving to a modest 22-20 for the year. The 31st-ranked Spaniard, currently on the brink of U.S. Open seeding, had been 4-7 in his previous 11 matches while struggling as he returned to clay post-Wimbledon. Dimitrov has done nothing since exiting the All-England Club with a first-round loss to Stan Wawrinka, resting up and licking his wounds as his 2018 woes continue. The reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion is just 19-13 this season and 3-6 in his last nine matches dating back to the Barcelona quarterfinals. Verdasco has had Dimitrov’s number of late and nothing about the Bulgarian’s current form suggests he is going to turn things back in his favor.

Pick: Verdasco in 3

[polldaddy poll=10074271]

Borna Coric vs. (6) Marin Cilic

Cilic and Coric have been Croatian Davis Cup teammates and they figure to be once again in the upcoming semifinals against Team USA, but they are also familiar foes. Tuesday in Toronto will mark their seventh career contest, with Cilic sweeping the head-to-head series 6-0. They have not faced each other since a pair of indoor hard-court meetings last fall, when the current world No. 7 prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in Basel and 6-4, 6-3 in Paris. If there is any good news for Coric, it is that only two matches have ended in straight sets (one resulted in a second-set retirement and three others went to decisive third sets).

Coric earned another shot at his more experienced compatriot by easing past Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 6-3 on Monday night. The 21-year-old is a stellar 25-12 for his 2018 campaign, which is highlighted by an upset of Roger Federer in the Halle final. Cilic played well on both clay and grass, but his grass-court swing came to an abrupt and shocking halt when he squandered a two-set lead over Guido Pella in the Wimbledon second round. This is a good opportunity for Coric–who should benefit from one match this week already under his belt–to get on the scoreboard against an opponent who may be showing some rust.

Pick: Coric in 3

[polldaddy poll=10074299]