Damien Kayat previews Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Gael Monfils and Jannik Sinner vs Matteo Berrettini in selected round of 32 matches of the National Bank Open on the 9th of August 2023.
2023 ATP Tour
ATP Masters 1000 Series
National Bank Open (Canadian Open)
Sobeys Stadium, Toronto, Ontario (Outdoor Hardcourts)
Selected Round of 32 matches – 9th August
Stefanos Tsitsipas | Gael Monfils
This should prove to be a blockbuster Round of 32 clash in Toronto. 27-year-old Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas really needed some momentum after a disappointing Wimbledon exit to Christopher Eubanks.
The Greek thrilled tennis fans around the world with news that he and Paula Badosa are a new power-couple in the game. But that news almost distracted from the fact that he was title-less going into last week’s Los Cabos Open. But the Greek turned his fortunes around with a decisive performance last week.
I think his decision to play in a lesser ATP 250 event was vindicated and he goes into this match with some much-needed confidence. The Greek reached the final here in 2018 (when this stadium was formerly known as the Aviva Centre).
36-year-old Frenchman sparked retirement rumors with a few post-match comments he made in Washington last week. And I think the great entertainer will have earned his retirement when it comes. The eleven-time tour winner has always been a fan favourite and there have been glimpses of the best Monfils in recent weeks.
He hasn’t played much tennis this year due to injury and the fact that he and Elina Svitolina have recently welcomed their first child into the world. He reached the round of 16 in Washington last week (accounting for the big-serving Alexander Bublik kin the process). He said that performance gave him some confidence and he harnessed that in a nerve-jangling opening victory against breakthrough sensation Christopher Eubanks.
Monfils brilliantly withstood the power-hitting of Eubanks, standing miles behind the baseline and just keeping as many balls in play as possible. The tactic worked, with the American committing far too many unforced errors throughout the match. The French maverick squandered a few match-points in the 2nd set but he hung in to get the job done.
Verdict: Tsitsipas to win in straight-sets
Tsitsipas leads Monfils 2-1 in their head-to-head matches. Curiously, they actually haven’t met since 2019. Monfils will obviously go into this as the sentimental favourite. And he will no doubt be galvanized by that stellar performance against Eubanks.
But let’s be honest: Eubanks imploded a bit in their match. Tsitsipas won’t get worn down as easily as he doesn’t mind engaging in arduous baseline rallies.
Jannik Sinner | Matteo Berrettini
This looks set to be a mouth-watering all-Italian clash. Jannik Sinner is having an outstanding season thus far, compiling a tour-level record of 37—11 for the season. He is fresh off a maiden Grand Slam semi-final appearance at Wimbledon (he went down to Djokovic in straight-sets).
He won the title in Montpelier and reached finals in Rotterdam and Miami. This will be just his 3rd appearance at the Canadian Open and he has only previously won one match in this competition. The 21-year-old really looks like he has what it takes to rival the likes of Alcaraz and Rune in seasons to come.
He is incredibly flexible and moves like a gazelle around the baseline. He generates unbelievable topspin on his backhand side and his forehand is becoming more decisive. One key to his improved results this year has been a more impactful serve. It was previously a weakness but it is starting to become an indispensable weapon in his arsenal.
Speaking of big-serving, Matteo Berrettini got off to a solid start in Toronto, dispatching of Frenchman Gregoire Barrere in a comfy straight-sets win. He struck ten aces and conceded just nine points on his serve in the entire match. Berrettini lost in the first round on his Canadian Open debut last year.
His victory over Barrere improved his season record to 11-8. The 2021 Wimbledon finalist was forced to miss much of the clay-court season due to injury. But he started to find a little bit of magic on grass, beating Alex Zverev en route to a 4th round appearance at SW19.
The Italian serving machine is a master of one-two punch tennis. He looks to hammer down as many aces as possible and win quick-fire points with his brutal forehand.
Verdict: Berrettini to win in three sets –
This will actually be the first career meeting between these two. This should prove to be a fascinating clash between Berrettini’s sledgehammer forehand and inner’s versatile backhand. I really think that the more experienced Berrettini has a chance of pulling off the upset. He served mercilessly against Barrere, barely giving the Frenchman a sniff.
