Montreal previews and predictions: Hurkacz vs. Ruusuvuori, Norrie vs. Nakashima

A water-logged Monday in Montreal sets up a monster day of tennis on Tuesday. Hubert Hurkacz takes on Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round, while Cam Norrie and Brandon Nakashima battle it out in the first round.

(8) Hubert Hurkacz vs. Emil Ruusuvuori

This a tantalizing rematch of Hubert Hurkacz and Emil Ruusuvuori’s second-round contest one week ago in Washington, D.C. Ruusuvuori won 6-4, 7-6(3), although he crashed out to Mikael Ymer in the next round. Last week’s match was the first between Hurkacz and Ruusuvuori.

Ruusuvuori got his match in on Monday in Montreal between showers that eventually canceled play for the evening. The 44th-ranked Finn dismissed Stan Wawrinka in three entertaining sets. As the No. 8 seed, Hurkacz enjoyed a first-round bye; Tuesday’s match will be his first in Montreal.

This has the makings of an entertaining battle. Even their straight-set affair in Washington, D.C. was closely contested. With temperatures significantly cooler and heavy conditions from the rain, expect Hurkacz to power through the court a bit better than Ruusuvuori.

Cheryl pick: Hurkacz in 3

Ricky pick: Hurkacz in 3

(9) Cam Norrie vs. Brandon Nakashima

In another potentially great match on the docket on Tuesday, No. 9 seed Cam Norrie will take on American Brandon Nakashima. Norrie and Nakashima are no strangers to each other. They have played three times since the start of 2020; Nakashima won their first meeting in Delray Beach two years ago and Norrie has won the last two, including a clash this year on the grass courts of Eastbourne. Norrie gave Nakashima a straight-set thrashing in their most recent rubber.

The heavy, cool conditions could give Nakashima more opportunities than he had the last time he ran into the Englishman and should make for a more competitive match. Still, it’s hard to pick against Norrie. The world No. 11 fought his way to the final in Los Cabos last week, when he lost to Daniil Medvedev. Still, Norrie played outstanding tennis along the way and took out Felix Auger-Aliassime en route to the final.

Norrie should pull this one out, but don’t be surprised if Nakashima takes a a set.

Cheryl pick: Norrie in 3

Ricky pick: Norrie in 3