Throughout the Rogers Cup tournaments in Montreal (ATP) and Toronto (WTA), we'll preview the upcoming days' must-see matches.
Garbine Muguruza [4] vs. Elina Svitolina [5]
These two hard-hitters have played six completed matches and split them down the middle, 3-3. Muguruza won their only meeting of 2017, 6-0 in the third set, on hard courts in Indian Wells. It will likely be up to Muguruza who wins this one as well; she’s the more aggressive player, and she has more firepower. Svitolina will have to hope she starts misfiring, but Muguruza’s aim has mostly been true of late.
Winner: Muguruza
Roger Federer [2] vs. Robin Haase
Haase, eh? How many picked the 30-year-old, 46th-ranked Dutchman to reach the semis? But here he is, victor over Grigor Dimitrov and Diego Schwartzman. And if he’s watched any of this semifinal opponent this week, he might even think he has a chance to go further. Federer has been sluggish during his wins over David Ferrer and Roberto Bautista Agut. But he’s won anyway, just like he won in his only previous meeting with Haase.
Winner: Federer
Alexander Zverev [4] vs. Denis Shapovalov
It has been a long time since the men had a showcase night match at a major event between a 20-year-old and an 18-year-old, but the ATP’s dogged NextGen project has born fruit over the last two weeks. Zverev won the title at the Citi Open, and Shapovalov has made himself the story of the week in Montreal, beating Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal. More than anything, the two youngsters have out-competed their elders. Zverev saved a match point on a 46-shot rally against Richard Gasquet, while Shapovalov has responded to every moment of adversity like a pro. The first of what should be many meetings between these two longhairs should be one to watch.
Winner: Shapovalov
