A jam-packed day of second-round competition at the Toronto Masters pits Alexander Zverev against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Wednesday’s lineup also includes familiar foes Tommy Paul and Francisco Cerundolo going head-to-head.
(13) Alexander Zverev vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
It’s still early in the week, but Zverev is looking like a real contender to win back-to-back titles. The 16th-ranked German is coming off a triumph in Hamburg to wrap up the clay-court swing, which he bagged without losing a set in five matches and without even being extended to a single tiebreaker. Zverev maintained momentum by beating Washington, D.C. runner-up Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-6(3) at the National Bank Open on Tuesday afternoon.
Up next for the No. 13 seed on Wednesday is Davidovich Fokina, who is getting swept in the head-to-head series 3-0. Zverev is 8-0 lifetime in total sets and their only hard-court meeting was a 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 beatdown at the 2020 U.S. Open. Even on clay Davidovich Fokina got clobbered 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 at the 2021 French Open. The 37th-ranked Spaniard did well to destroy J.J. Wolf 6-0, 6-2 on Monday, but nothing suggests that he will suddenly turn the tide against Zverev.
Pick: Zverev in 2
(12) Tommy Paul vs. Francisco Cerundolo
Paul and Cerundolo will be going head-to-head for the fourth time in their careers and for the third time already this summer when they collide on Wednesday. Interestingly, all three of their previous encounters have come on grass. Paul prevailed 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 last year in Eastbourne before Cerundolo got the job done twice a little more than a month ago (7-6(2), 4-6, 6-4 at Queen’s Club and 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in the Eastbourne final).
Yes, all three of their meetings have ended 6-4 in the third. Also interesting is the fact that both players won 6-4 in the third on Monday in Toronto; Paul battled past Diego Schwartzman, while Cerundolo held off Canadian wild card Alexis Galarneau. Based on both current form and their head-to-head history, another competitive contest should be in the cards. A slight edge goes to Cerundolo given his recent success against Paul (on a surface that doesn’t favor the Argentine) and he has quietly accounted himself well on North American hard courts throughout his career.
Pick: Cerundolo in 3
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Zv in 2; Cdolo in 3.