John Isner will try to keep his winning streak going when he faces Andrey Rublev in the Toronto third round on Thursday. Hubert Hurkacz and Nikoloz Basilashvili are also aiming for a place in the quarterfinals.
(4) Andrey Rublev vs. John Isner
Rublev and Isner will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers when they clash in round three of the National Bank Open on Thursday. Both of their previous encounters have gone Isner’s way; 6-3, 6-4 at the 2015 Miami Masters and 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(4) earlier this year in Madrid. The 36-year-old American otherwise did not do much in the spring and summer, but as usual he is heating up on North American hard courts. Isner is on a seven-match winning streak, with a sixth title in Atlanta and Toronto victories over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Cristian Garin.
Since extending his 500-point title streak to four by triumphing in Rotterdam five months ago, Rublev has not lifted another trophy. The seventh-ranked Russian hopes a mixed doubles gold medal at the Olympics gets him back on track from a momentum standpoint, and he certainly played well during a 7-6(4), 6-3 defeat of Fabio Fognini on Wednesday. With Rublev having cooled off a bit and Toronto conditions suiting Isner to perfection, the world No. 30’s favorite time of year should continue with another win.
Pick: Isner in 3
Nikoloz Basilashvili vs. (7) Hubert Hurkacz
Hurkacz is through to last 16 in Toronto without playing a single match, as he earned a first-round bye as the No. 7 seed and then got a walkover from Kei Nishikori. Thus it remains to be seen which Hurkacz is going to show up this week. More than half (11) of the 13th-ranked Pole’s 21 match wins this season have come at the Miami Masters and Wimbledon. Other than that, he has been thoroughly unspectacular in 2021.
Up first for Hurkacz on Thursday is a first-ever meeting with Basilashvili. The 42nd-ranked Georgian was hopeless in 2020, but he is 23-19 this season with titles in Doha and Munich. Basilashvili has now advanced at least two rounds in four of his last five tournaments (including Wimbledon and the Olympics) following Toronto wins over Jenson Brooksby and Alex de Minaur. After dropping the first set to Brooksby, the 29-year-old took his next four sets 6-0, 6-4, 6-1, and 6-1. With two matches already under his belt this week, Basilashvili should be able to keep his momentum going.
Pick: Basilashvili in 3
WWW?
John Isner should be exhausted by now, so i take Rublev in 3
? Isner didn’t play last week.
Yeah, I’d have to agree; fatigue is a significant consideration with a lot of these players right now, and a few have already shown some inexperience with managing their schedules.
I’ll take a close look at it shortly to see how Isner v Rublev stacks up. Reckon you might be pushing the envelope with Rublev.
Rublev has done well in the master’s events heading into the USO.
Surprised with the Basilashvili as well. Hurkacz is a bit of a lottery and lacks match play but there’s a high probability he continues where he left off.
Broosby was tired and probably shouldve won and De Minaur’s recent form has been suspect.
Yeah to both. Hurkacz is a better player than Basilbash .
I hope Isner retires the match today.🤞🏼🤞🏼
Shoot, just shoot. If Isner has to win, I at least hope Harris will beat Opelka!
nice picks, people