Several all-seeded showdowns are set for Friday in Toronto, including Arthur Fils vs. Jiri Lehecka. Andrey Rublev and Lorenzo Sonego are also aiming for a place in the last 16 of this Masters 1000 tournament.
(15) Arthur Fils vs. (19) Jiri Lehecka
Due to a back injury, Fils is playing for the first time since Roland Garros. The sample size could not be smaller, but early signs at the National Bank Open are encouraging. Following a bye, Fils kicked off his fortnight with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over 2022 champion Pablo Carreno Busta.
Up next for the 21st-ranked Frenchman on Friday is a third-round encounter with Lehecka, who lost their only previous matchup 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4 during 2024 Davis Cup competition. Lehecka is a tougher opponent than Carreno Busta, but the 27th-ranked Czech has been wildly inconsistent since a hot start to the year. Moreover, Fils should only improve now that he finally has a match under his belt.
Pick: Fils in 3
(6) Andrey Rublev vs. (28) Lorenzo Sonego
Rublev and Sonego will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers on Friday. The head-to-head series stands at 3-2 in favor of Rublev (2-2 on the main tour) after the Russian most recently prevailed 7-6(3), 7-5 on the indoor hard courts of Metz in 2024. Interestingly, they have never faced each other on an outdoor hard court.
Sonego has been extremely hit-or-miss this year. The 38th-ranked Italian played great at the Australian Open (quarterfinals) and Wimbledon (fourth round), but despite those results he still has a losing record in 2025 (15-18). Sonego opened in Toronto with a 6-1, 6-4 rout of Bu Yunchaokete, while Rublev disposed of Hugo Gaston 6-2, 6-3. These relatively quick conditions should suit Rublev, as Sonego would prefer to contest this matchup on clay or in a slightly slower and higher-bouncing setting.
Pick: Rublev in 2
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rublev in 3 fils in 2