The ATP Tour is heading to Canada for the ATP Montreal Masters 1000. The event is packed with the best players in the world as they prepare for the final Slam of the year. Day one features a number of exciting matches and, as always, here at LWOT, we offer our previews and predictions for every match on the slate, including Andy Murray vs. Taylor Fritz and Denis Shapovalov vs. Alex de Minaur. But who will advance?
ATP Montreal Predictions Day 1
Alex Molcan vs. Mackenzie McDonald
Face-to-face: first meeting
World No. 39 Alex Molcan and World No. 48 Mackenzie McDonald both hold career high rankings and were direct entrants into this loaded 56-man squad. That said, McDonald hasn’t won consecutive games since Roland Garros. Molcan, meanwhile, reached the semi-finals last month in Hamburg. I believe McDonald is the best hard-court player, but his recent poor form is hard to ignore. I think the Slovak’s consistency helps him reach the finish line.
Prediction: Molcan in 3
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Hugo Gaston vs. Jack Draper
Face-to-face: first meeting
After both clearing two qualifying stages, 21-year-old Hugo Gaston and 20-year-old Jack Draper will face off for the first time. None of the Next-Gen players have been a significant factor on the tour this season, which makes this first-round game even more significant. The Frenchman prefers clay and is only 8-19 in his tour-level career on hard courts. Although Draper hasn’t had much touring success, his seven Challenger/ITF titles have come on hard courts, including four this season. Draper has a shot at being the next great British men’s player, and I believe he is picking up his first Masters win in Montreal.
Prediction: Draped in 3
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Marcos Giron against Roberto Bautista Agut
Face-to-face: first meeting
Qualifier Marcos Giron and 14th seed Roberto Bautista Agut will meet for the first time in Montreal with the stakes high. The 34-year-old Spaniard is enjoying a season of revival. Holding a 27-11 record with titles in Doha and Kitzbuhel, Bautista Agut’s consistency has caused extreme problems for his opponents. Giron, on the other hand, has been in a major crisis. Before his two qualifying victories in Montreal, the 29-year-old American had won only three of his last 12 games. I think the veteran’s consistency and form will be too much for Giron to handle.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
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Holger Rune vs. Fabio Fognini
Face-to-face: first meeting
Holger Rune, 19, makes his Montreal debut against 35-year-old qualifier Fabio Fognini. This is Fognini’s 11th appearance at the Canadian Open, his best result being a quarter-final in 2019. The Italian’s age has come to the fore this season, but his second-round qualifying win over Daniel Altmaier in form was a welcome sight. Rune, the current world number 26, is just 6-6 on hard courts this season. He is only 1-8 on aggregate since his quarter-final at Roland Garros. That said, most young players are streaky, and eventually he will return to his previous form. I see him picking up a win over Fognini in what will most likely be a heated match.
Prediction: Rune in 3
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