ATP Toronto Day 8 Predictions including Frances Tiafoe vs Alex de Minaur

It should be an entertaining eighth day with a place in the ATP Toronto quarterfinals on the line. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, as well as all the WTA Montreal action. But who will secure their spot in the last eight?

ATP Toronto Day 8 Predictions

Frances Tiafoe vs Alex de Minaur

Head-to-head: de Minaur 2-1 Tiafoe

This match could probably go  either way. Frances Tiafoe and Alex de Minaur are not dissimilar – both cover the court superbly and give very little away, but neither is equipped with the weaponry to land a truly telling blow on the very best in the world. Tiafoe is the bigger hitter of the two, but in this match that is not necessarily an advantage.

De Minaur, a champion last week in Washinton, is in very fine form and sailed through his ATP Toronto opener, dismissing Francisco Comesana for the loss of only four games. If he can maintain that level, he should have just about too much for Tiafoe, though it will likely be a much closer contest.

Flavio Cobolli vs Ben Shelton

Head-to-head: Cobolli 2-1 Shelton

Ben Shelton had to work exceptionally hard to reach the third round, eventually getting the better of fellow American Brandon Nakashima in a third-set tiebreak. But it was anything but straightforward for Shelton and one suspects he will not be looking forward to facing the in-form Flavio Cobolli. Not least because the Italian has beaten him in two of their three previous meetings.

Both of those wins came on hard courts, including earlier this year in Acapulco. Shelton is a tough opponent in these conditions due to his power, but Cobolli is one of the better movers on tour and can hang tough with the tour’s big hitters. Shelton might be able to hit though the Italian, but don’t be surprised if Cobolli draws enough errors from Shelton’s racket to reach the last eight.

Prediction: Cobolli in 3

Andrey Rublev vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Head-to-head: Rublev 5-1 Davidovich Fokina

Andrey Rublev’s 2025 has not exactly gone to plan, but the Russian has built his career on winning this sort of match. Which is neatly reflected by the fact that he has beaten Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in five of their six meetings, and his wins over Hugo Gaston – in straight sets – and Lorenzo Sonego to reach this stage.

That said, this will not be entirely straightforward for the Russian, with Davidovich Fokina in good form and having seemingly put the disappointment of his defeat in the final in Washington behind him. Indeed, the Spaniard has looked very sharp in beating Corentin Moutet and Jakub Mensik. Davidovich Fokina is a better player than his ranking suggests and probably a better player than his head-to-head with Rublev tells. Don’t be surprised if he exacts a measure of revenge here.

Taylor Fritz vs Jiri Lehecka

Head-to-head: Fritz 3-0 Lehecka

Taylor Fritz’s game has matured over the last two years. The American remains solid enough to account for most opponents, but he also has the power to hit through almost every opponent. He has not quite mastered Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, but he has clearly had the better of Jiri  Lehecka having won all three of their previous meetings including in similar conditions in Cincinnati in 2023 – albeit  that was their most recent meeting.

Jiri Lehecka has improved in the interim – as his battling wins over Fritz’s compatriot Mackenzie McDonald and Arthur Fils. But Fritz represents a real step up in the quality of opposition. A step up that might just prove to be a challenge too far for Lehecka. This should be a competitive match, but expect Friz to have the edge.

Prediction: Fritz in 3