Montreal QF previews and predictions: Zverev vs. Anderson, Mannarino vs. Shapovalov

Familiar foes Alexander Zverev and Kevin Anderson will square off again on Friday at the Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal. Fresh off an upset of Rafael Nadal, Denis Shapovalov will continue his campaign against Adrian Mannarino.

(4) Alexander Zverev vs. Kevin Anderson

Zverev and Anderson will be going head-to-head for the fourth time in their careers and for the second time in less than a full week when they meet again in the Rogers Cup quarterfinals on Friday. All three of their previous encounters have gone Zverev’s way, the first two in three sets (2015 Washington, D.C., 2017 Rome) and 6-4, 6-4 in last Sunday’s Washington, D.C. final. Fresh off the fifth title of his career, the 20-year-old German has extended his winning streak to seven matches with victories in Montreal over Richard Gasquet and Nick Kyrgios. Zverev outlasted Gasquet 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3) after saving a match point on a 49-ball rally but perhaps restored energy by getting off the court quickly (6-4, 6-3) against Kyrgios.

Finally armed with a clean bill of health for all if not much of a full season, Anderson has wrapped up a seed for the upcoming U.S. Open thanks to his current surge. The 6’8” South African reached the fourth round at Wimbledon prior to his runner-up performance last week and so far in Montreal he has taken out Dudi Sela, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Sam Querrey in straight sets. This should be competitive than what transpired south of the border, but it is hard to pick against Zverev right now unless he is facing Roger Federer–and perhaps only Federer.

Pick: Zverev in 3

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(WC) Denis Shapovalov vs. Adrian Mannarino

Mannarino probably thought he was in line for a date with Rafael Nadal after the Frenchman took care of Hyeon Chung 6-3, 6-3 during third-round action on Thursday. Instead, he will be going up against Shapovalov for the first time in his career. Adding to the trend of surprising results and wild three-setters in Montreal, the 18-year-old Canadian upset Nadal 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) in a raucous two-hour and 45-minute thriller on Thursday night. Thus continued Shapovalov’s incredible run, which started when he saved four match points against Rogerio Dutra Silva and added another chapter in the form of a straight-set victory over Juan Martin Del Potro.

Prior to beating Chung, Mannarino rolled over Daniil Medvedev and No. 6 seed Milos Raonic in straight sets. The world No. 42 will almost certainly secure a seed for the U.S. Open if he wins on Friday, but he may be on the outside looking in if he loses. A veteran like Mannarino can distance himself from that kind of pressure, whereas Shapovalov is finally in a different situation as a borderline favorite in this matchup. Making a quick turnaround so soon after the biggest win of his career is also a tough task. The youngster’s run could come to an end when it is least expected, especially with a wily opponent on the other side of the net who will change up the pace and break up any kind of rhythm.

Pick: Mannarino in 3

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