ATP Cup round-robin previews and predictions: Shapovalov vs. Isner, Auger-Aliassime vs. Fritz

A jam-packed Day 2 of the ATP Cup includes an intriguing matchup between Canada and the United States. Denis Shapovalov is kicking off the proceedings against John Isner before Felix Auger-Aliassime faces Taylor Fritz.

Denis Shapovalov (CAN) vs. John Isner (USA)

Shapovalov and Isner will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they collide in the ATP Cup round-robin match between Canada and the United States on Sunday afternoon. Following an up-and-down (in that order, too) 2021 campaign, Shapovalov comes into this season at No. 14 in the rankings. Although he slumped in the fall, a two-month offseason may have been just what the doctor ordered for the 22-year-old as he tries to regain the form that carried him to the Wimbledon semifinals this past summer.

Isner did not do much last season aside from capturing yet another Atlanta title. The 24th-ranked American can do that in his sleep, but outside of the United States he continued to underwhelm. Australia has never been especially kind to Isner, so you have to like Shapovalov’s chances in this one.

Pick: Shapovalov in 2

Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) vs. Taylor Fritz (USA)

Auger-Aliassime and Fritz will also be squaring off for the first time in their careers–another surprising fact given that both rising stars have been around for a while and have been making it deep at more than a few tournaments. A team competition finally pits them on opposite sides of the net, and it’s a situation in which Auger-Aliassime already has valuable experience. The 21-year-old Canadian helped lead his country to the Davis Cup final in 2020 before finishing runner-up to Spain.

Based on respective form at the end of 2021, however, Fritz may be able to pull off what would only be a minor upset. Ranked 23rd to his opponent’s 11th, Fritz reached the semifinals in Indian Wells, the final in St. Petersburg, and the quarterfinals in Paris. He also played well in Melbourne last January, advancing to the third round before pushing eventual champion Novak Djokovic to five sets. Auger-Aliassime won only five of his last 11 matches in 2021, so this is a good opportunity for Fritz.

Pick: Fritz in 3