Alexander Zverev will continue his bid for a second consecutive Montreal title when he takes the court against Karen Khachanov on Friday. Roberto Bautista Agut and Gael Monfils are also aiming for a place in the semifinals.
(3) Alexander Zverev vs. (6) Karen Khachanov
Although Zverev’s 2019 campaign has not been as bad as advertised (he is 10th in the race to London with a good chance of reaching at least No. 8 if he wins on Friday), it could use a kick-start to reach the standards that were set last season. A return to Montreal may be just what the doctor ordered, as the fifth-ranked German triumphed at this Masters 1000 event in 2017 and now finds himself back in the quarterfinals following victories over Cameron Norrie and Nikoloz Basilashvili–the latter in a third-set tiebreaker.
Up next for Zverev on Friday afternoon is a fourth career contest against Khachanov, who trails the head-to-head series 2-1 but dominated 6-1, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the Paris Indoors last fall en route to his biggest-ever title. Both players have taken a step back since that point in time and neither has been particularly impressive this week. Khachanov did well to edge Stan Wawrinka in three sets before surviving an error-strewn affair with Felix Auger Aliassime 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-3 on Thursday afternoon. Mostly because this is Montreal where Zverev is comfortable and has a history of winning competitive matches, the No. 3 seed may have a slight advantage.
Pick: Zverev in 3
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(10) Roberto Bautista Agut vs. (16) Gael Monfils
Bautista Agut and Monfils will be facing each other for the fifth time in their careers on Friday. Monfils leads the head-to-head series 3-1, but Bautista Agut won their most recent meeting and it came at none other than the Montreal Masters (the Spaniard prevailed 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(2) during third-round action in 2017). Monfils’ two most recent wins came in 2015, when he got the job done twice on indoor hard courts.
Based on current form, Bautista Agut may have the upper hand for a second straight time at this tournament. The 31-year-old is up to No. 13 in the world thanks to a 31-13 record in 2019 and so far in Montreal he has made mostly routine work of Diego Schwartzman and Richard Gasquet. Monfils appears to be healthy following victories over Peter Polansky, Ilya Ivashka, and Hubert Hurkacz, but the 20th-ranked Frenchman can rarely be trusted from either a physical or mental standpoint. Bautista Agut is more rested and is simply a much more reliable performer right now.
Pick: Bautista Agut in 2
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WWW?
Can’t count out Monfils at this point, 😀 seriously. There have been a lot of doubters about Gael Monfils and I completely understand. But as we saw yesterday, the young Hurkacz was not one to beat a wily old incredibly talented and experienced opponent; Gael Monfils in a serious frame of mind.
And Monfils can give RBA trouble. I suppose my one dollar would be on RBA but that would be the sum of the wager. Monfils seems to have a mind to win in Montreal. We shall see.
Poor Khachanov – apologizing for beating FAA at home.
Neither one, AZ or KK are confident and at their best. I can’t make a prediction. Basilashvili took AZ to the edge. When I saw that possible match in the bracket, I had to pick Basilashvili. I have been a fan of Sascha and it’s been tough watching him have such a hard time this year. Also like Karen Khachanov. I think he’s a humble and likable fellow.
Also have it in mind that Karen has the stronger legs than Sascha right now. I don’t know that for sure. Maybe Zverev will surprise me.
Three sets, probably – if both are strong.
RBA and KK in 3. RBA’s been very consistent this year. Monfils has not. He looked exhausted in his 2nd set vs Ivashka (sp?). Didn’t see his match v Hurk but I assume he played very well?
I’ll give KK the edge over AZ this time.
I saw enough of the Monfils match. Lots of people, including myself thought Hurkacz had a good chance v Monfils – Humbert a serious young man.
Monfils is playing well and keeping his eye on the goal. He does appear tired though. His look and posture are not that of a winner. I didn’t pick him more that 2 matches.
Khachanov and Monfils in three
The Monfils and RBA match is postponed to Sat due to rain delay. Whoever wins will be at a disadvantage against Rafa in the SF.
I think Rafa will reach the final and keeps his no.2 ranking for another week. Rafa’s SF will be at 8pm on Sat and the final will be at 3pm or 4pm Sunday? Not too fair to the winner of the second SF when the first SF is played at 3pm on Sat.
Hopefully Rafa can beat whoever in the SF in straight sets and quickly, to conserve energy for the final.
What tour has Khachanov been playing if he doesn’t have a history of winning competitive matches?
I think I know what you mean, Zverev has a history of winning a higher percentage of matches at this level and stage of a Masters.
Ok.
Why is my comment criticizing your BA pick not going through?