No Big 3 In Montreal Where Medvedev, Alcaraz Star

by Sean Randall | August 7th, 2022, 9:44 pm
  • 15 Comments

Daniil Medvedev will be the favorite this week to defend his title at the Canadian Open Masters. The stop in Montreal is the first of two Masters hard court events this month as we close in on New York.

The big story coming in are the withdrawals of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

If you are hoping Djokovic can play the US Open, keep dreaming. It’s not happening. He’s not getting in. We’ll see him at the Laver Cup in London and then the fall season when at least he’ll be fully rested.


Nadal, though, should be ready by then. That ab injury from Wimbledon still needs time so hopefully he gets back for Cincinnati if not New York.

Another former champion, Alexander Zverev, is also out still recovering from that tough ankle injury from the French Open.

So with the withdrawals, that leaves a mish-mash of a draw with Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz and perhaps Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud as guys to watch out for. Maybe even Nick Kyrgios who’s enjoying the summer of his life.

DANIIL MEDVEDEV QUARTER
History says when Medvedev gets going he’s tough to stop. But his quarter is tricky with Kyrgios likely to start, Grigor Dimitrov in the third and Hubert Hurkacz in the quarters. Stan Wawrinka could face Hurkacz and the struggling Denis Shapovalov could rise up and challenge Dimitrov and then face Medvedev. The big showdown is Medvedev-Kyrgios likely Wednesday night. Both won titles this weekend but I’ll lean to Medvedev.
The Pick: Medvedev

CASPER RUUD QUARTER
Ruud is slowly finding his footing off of clay. But I don’t especially like his draw here with Mackenzie McDonald, then likely Jenson Brooksby (or Alexander Bublik). I think Roberto Bautista Agut emerges out to the quarters where he gets knocked out by Canadian No. 1 Felix Auger-Aliassime. Felix, who turns 23 tomorrow, should get by Cameron Norrie. It’s a tough section with Norrie opening against Brandon Nakashima in a 2021 Los Cabos final rematch.
The Pick: Auger-Aliassime

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS QUARTER
Tsitsipas is a former Canadian finalist but this year has been a mystery man. One week good, next week not so good. Or something like that. Days away from turning 24, I thought by now he’d have a better resume, but there’s still time. And with his game, he could explode at any moment. On the flip side is Jannik Sinner who has been on a slow but steady ascent. The Italian just notched another win over Alcaraz to claim his first clay title last month in Umag. I like Sinner to beat Matteo Berrettini in the third round (with that winner getting to the semifinals), and then topple Maxime Cressy who upsets Tsitsipas. That said, in this draw Berrettini, who is playing his first event on hard courts since Indian Wells, is the real wildcard for me. He could flame out or even win the title. But for now, I’ll take his more reliable countryman.
The Pick: Jannik Sinner

CARLOS ALCARAZ QUARTER
We are now in year two of Carlos Alcaraz who first came into view last summer. He’s now a solid Top 5 player and a strong contender for a future No. 1. But recently he’s cooled a bit, if you can call it that. Some shots have been errant, the drop shots aren’t on line as much and he’s showing some nerves here and there. But the hype is real and it won’t let up. Not anytime soon and not in Canada. In his debut in the north, I like his draw with Marin Cilic and then maybe Andrey Rublev in the quarters. Andy Murray is in there but opens against Taylor Fritz in one of the best first round matches — Taylor should prevail. In the end, I think Alcaraz manages the expectations and comes through.
The Pick: Carlos Alcaraz

SEMIFINALS
Medvedev d Auger-Aliassime: I think Medvedev is just too strong on defense for the Canadian.
Alcaraz d Sinner: Sinner can’t win a third straight against Carlos, and the Spaniard keeps his North American hard court run going.

FINAL
Medvedev d Alcaraz: What a final it would be. Defense against power but I’ll go defense here.

Again, no Big 3 but there’s a little separation I think with Medvedev and Alcaraz, then the next level maybe with Tsitsipas, Ruud, Sinner and perhaps Berrettini and now Kyrgios.

If Kyrgios, who just swept D.C., can pull of the Medvedev upset, he might be able to run the table. Though I get the feeling all these matches — singles and doubles — are going to catch up to the Australian. But based on the draw, there should be marquee matches each day starting with Fritz-Murray tomorrow.

Heat also won’t be a factor based on the forecast, but the rain could be.


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15 Comments for No Big 3 In Montreal Where Medvedev, Alcaraz Star

tennisfan Says:

lets go Alcaraz


lylenubbins Says:

Was watching Kyrgios, he’s underrated from the baseline. Nothing from the ground seems to bother hum, he’s always in a good position, seemingly without expending much energy. It’s really something.


skeezer Says:

Thanks for that Giles. Very cool.


Okiegal Says:

@Giles….. That was adorable! Loved it‼️😊😊


Alison hodge Says:

Aww so cute Giles 😊


Giles Says:

You’re welcome guys. 👍


Okiegal Says:

@Giles……. You need to start digging up bones…..I’m bored! LOL
😩😩🤣🤣


Giles Says:

Oki You naughty girl! Lol. Don’t worry I will. Waiting for the next opportunity. 😊


Okiegal Says:

@Giles…..🤣🤣 I’ll be patiently waiting! Light it up, this site has been a real bummer lately!! This cowgirl is down in the dumps and needs some entertainment! 🤠🤠
Have a great week-end!! 😊😊


Giles Says:

Oki. Aww. Cheer up. I’ll try my best to entertain you. In the meantime you have a great weekend too. 😊


Okiegal Says:

@Giles……. Hurry up…. I made 77 trips around the sun on Aug 4 ………don’t wait too long‼️ 😳😳🤣🤣 I have had a nice week-end. I celebrated a belated birthday dinner with my bestie. She fed me steak! So all is well with me and I hope this finds you doing great. Hey, we got Rafa this week. I hope he stays healthy! From one loyal Rafa fan to another …….VAMOS‼️ 😊😊


Giles Says:

Hey Oki. Happy belated birthday wishes for your 21st! Lol. Glad you enjoyed yourself. Yes Rafa is on court this week. Hope he does well and gets some match play before the big one. Patience girl, patience . Won’t be long before the shite hits the fan! I’m here waiting. ROFL.


Alison hodge Says:

Aww Happy belated birthday my friend xx love. Hugs,and goddess blessings xx


Okiegal Says:

@Giles……Thanks a bunch on the belated 21st…. if only!! 😩😩 oh man, I doubt I’d change a thing!
Hey, patience is not my greatest virtue…..but I’ll work on it! Yeah, hope our guy does get some good match play in this week. Main thing, keeping the abdominal area injury free. Man, that is an iffy injury to deal with because of the service motion. But it ain’t his first rodeo dealing with injuries… he’ll figure something out.

@Alison Thanks for the belated birthday blessings! I had a great day. I have decided age is only a number so I’m going to continue act the age I “think” I want to be….. a teenager in the 50s with that good old rock and roll, the best music ever!! Thanks for reaching out. Sending much love and big hugs across the vast pond to you and yours! I hope your life is going in the right direction for you and that you’re in a happy place!
🥰😘😊😘

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