ATP Toronto Day 7 Predictions Including Alexander Zverev vs Francisco Cerundolo

Top half fourth-round matches feature the two remaining ATP 1000 Canada champions, with No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev (2017) trying to post his first-ever win against Francisco Cerundolo, while the winner from last year, Alexei Popyrin, comes up against Holger Rune. Casper Ruud and Karen Khachanov are meeting for the first time since their 2022 US Open semifinal. Who do you think will reach the last eight at ATP Toronto?

ATP Montreal Day 7 Predictions

Alex Michelsen vs Learner Tien

Head-to-head: 1-1

The two friends from their junior days will face each other for the third time on the pro circuit. Alex Michelsen won in Houston on clay, but Learner Tien got their hard-court meeting at the Next Gen Finals. It’s tough to predict this as they know each other’s games so well, and surprisingly, the opponent might not be possible. Tien can unload Michelsen’s power effectively on hard, but the conditions could support the 20-year-old a little bit. Maybe this time, he refrains from going for a frontal attack, which would be for the best for him.
Prediction: Michelsen in 3

Alexei Popyrin vs Holger Rune

Head-to-head: Rune 1-0

Alexei Popyrin is defending the title from last year, but with the yearly Montreal/Toronto switch-up, he has to do it at a different venue. Nonetheless, defeating Daniil Medvedev in the third round was a big result, and Popyrin seems to be stepping up to the challenge. But Holger Rune might be a difficult opponent for him. The Dane isn’t consistent, but when he locks in, he’s got the all-around set of skills to make his opponent’s one-dimensional aggressive play suffer.
Prediction: Rune in 2

Karen Khachanov vs Casper Ruud

Head-to-head: Ruud 2-0

This isn’t the part of the season that Casper Ruud is known for, but let’s remember he has a couple of deep Canada runs in his resume and a US Open final in 2022. After suffering from a knee injury during the clay season and having to skip the grass, he seems to be pretty hungry to compete this week. It’s been a while since he last played Karen Khachanov, but usually, he was able to go after his forehand pretty aggressively in this matchup. His ceiling might just be higher than the Russians’, too.
Prediction: Ruud in 3

Alexander Zverev vs Francisco Cerundolo

Head-to-head: Cerundolo 3-0

Alexander Zverev has been struggling against Francisco Cerundolo, but this is the first time they’ll be competing on hard courts. The passive game plan of the World No. 3 allowed Cerundolo too much offensive freedom when they played in Madrid (twice) or in Buenos Aires. But here the serve of the Argentinian will pale in comparison to Zverev ‘s and he might be punished for his often sloppy footwork more than on the dirt. If the No. 1 seed loses to Cerundolo again, he’ll develop a bit of a mental block.
Prediction: Zverev in 3