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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Shapovalov in danger of collapsing here. If he’s clutch as he has been, he’ll fire off a few service winners.
This is a very good match!!
I love it.
Oh my goodness that leaping one handed backhand from Shapovalov was insane. His mental toughness is UNREAL!! Has dug himself out of so many tough situations all tournament whether it’s saving match points or simply getting out of little holes in various games. What a hold. Holy crap
Yes, 5-4
Clutch!! I thought that was it, but Shapo holds.
Dang it, Sascha. Tough hold coming up. Come on at least hold and get to the TB!
Well, Shapo does have the advantage of being new to everyone…the second time he plays Rafa and Delpo and Sascha – they better be ready for him.
He could beat Federer in the final. hahahahaha Federer doesn’t like playing players he’s never played before…and in the final. Kinda would like to see that final here.
Shapo could stand to develop a chip return. It’s amazing that he almost never does it.
Your guy with a gutsy hold rc!! Highly impressive win if Zverev gets this considering the crowd is pulling so hard for Shapovalov.
Just realized my toes have been curled this entire match and I’ve been holding my breath. hahaha I’m already emotionally invested in Sascha.
Wow, what a FH down the line by Zverev. Threatening to break again.
The dream is over
It’s not over!!!
DF! Zverev breaks!! Live by the sword…
Still, wouldn’t be too surprised to see Denis break back. He seems to blow hot and cold, but neither one usually for too long, at least here in front of the home crowd.
Wow, so much pressure on both of these guys. What a pass by Shapo!
Ahhhhhhhh this is tight.
shit…
Congratulations to Sascha! Great job to get to another Masters final!
NOW it’s over. But it’s not over over…Denis Shapolov has been a revelation.
These two will meet again.
What a poised performance in the face of that crowd. He’s a sensitive Handsome! He knows how they and Denis Feel. I LoVe Sascha!
Gotta love the class from Zverev after. He was just too good in the bigger moments. Woulda liked to see Shapo break back there but man that was a fun match to watch.
That’s what I’m saying 😀
Clutch win for Zverev…well done! Playing in front of a Davis Cup-like crowd, against a tough opponent, not easy. It’s going to be a tough match for Federer tomorrow; he’ll have to bring his best to win.
Shapovalov will probably have to play US Open qualies too. I think the deadline already happened so unless he gets a wildcard he will despite being ranked 67th in the world after this run.
yeah, but I think he could make it through a tough qualifying…they’ll get him in, I predict.
Cincinnati Qualies is tough. Gulbis beat Rublev, Rublev will try again in Winston-Salem qualies.
The reason Zverev is leading the young guys at the moment is because of his mental toughness and his work ethic. If Denis can emulate those, he will go far with his talent. Zverev is already top five in the world, imo.
Agree, Sascha is a good example for his next gen buddies.
Take notes Kyrgios LOL
Yeah that’s a fact. Right now he’s playing like a top five player no doubt. He will likely be a top five seed at the US Open as he will be seventh in the world after this tournament whether he wins the finals or not.
Woohohoho!!…Very class act celebratory from Sascha who’s gestured to Shapo for appreciation as well!…That’s surely will make him a sweetie to Canadians forever me thinks…
Yes, Mira, Alex is classy as well as hardworking and handsome!
Oh no Joe!!…U’re bewitched by him too??Hehehe…Yeah Joe!…so far i’m really really like what i saw in sascha…very cool kid..even though he’s popular but it seems his feet firmly planted to earth compared to ‘u know who’…i hope he will stay like this 10,20 years from now even when he reach to the level much higher than this on every sense…Many kids got destroyed by their own popularity and wealth not long after they taste the world’s heaven…
I was pulling for Shapovalov in this match, but yes, I like Sascha Zverev very much. He seems to have improved his serve from earlier in the season, and he gets such great angles when he is pulled wide, it’s hard to believe. The one thing missing from his game, imo, is anything resembling a net game. One of the reasons I like Shapo so much is that he plays an all-court game -even though his volley isn’t that good! But it’s the right way to play, imo, with agression, and a willingness to come in when the play calls for it. Anyway, I wish Zverev all the best even though I will be cheering for Federer tomorrow.
Hey Joe!….Big big congrats for u and Rog for reaching a final once again!!….Urgh!…That man is AWESOME!!..And if he’s win another big titles tomorrow…My God!…i’ve already can imagine the tennis world will explode for the next 2,3 weeks!…He’s AMAZING!!…I wish Rafa will take a lesson or two from him…and will inspired to find his best tennis again…if Rog can rock the world at the age of 36..why can’t Rafa?He’s also not bad on HC actually…I hope Rafa realize this…
Thanks, Mira. I always try to emulate Roger a bit when I step on the court myself…it never seems to work!
Earlier this year I thought Rafa’s troubles were mainly physical, that he had lost a step and wasn’t going to be able to return to his best form. But I now think his troubles are mainly mental, similar to what Federer has faced the last few years (not least against Nadal!) Anyway, if Roger can overcome them so can Rafa, so don’t give up hope! As you say, Rafa is a lot younger and may have a lot of years yet to play.