Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer prepare to return to action at the Montreal Masters this week as they lead the field. Can Rafael Nadal return to World number one this week? Let’s look at the draw:
First Quarter
The first quarter sees the top seed Rafael Nadal at the top of the draw as he looks to regain the World number one spot this week by reaching the Semi-Finals. He will play Borna Coric or a qualifier in his first match, with either John Isner or Juan Martin Del Potro being a third round opponent. Other key players who are in this section of the draw include Denis Shapovalov, David Goffin , Feliciano Lopez and Daniil Medvedev. Should Nadal make the Quarter-Finals his projected opponent will be sixth seed and home favourite Milos Raonic. Should Nadal go through the first couple of rounds, then he should make it into the Semis. However Raonic will like his chances as this isn’t the hardest of sections.
Prediction: Rafael Nadal
Second Quarter
In the second quarter we have a projected Quarter-Final match between Alexander Zverev and former champion Jo-Wilfred Tsonga. Zverev has a fairly straight forward draw as he will play Brayden Schnur or Richard Gasquet in the second round. Frances Tiafoe or an out of sorts Nick Kyrgios could await in the third round. As for Tsonga its not an easy path as he will play big serving Sam Querrey or Gilles Muller in the second round. Kevin Anderson could provide a dangerous test in the third round.
Prediction: Jo-Wilfred Tsonga
Third Quarter
In the third quarter we have the dangerous Grigor Dimitrov and his fellow one handed backhander Dominic Thiem. The Bulgarian will play Mischa Zverev or qualifier in his second round match with a possible third round match with Tomas Berdych. The Czech republican has an easy draw with Basilashvili and potentially Ramos-Vinolas in his first two matches. Dominic Thiem will play Diego Schwartzman or a qualifier in the second round. A possible third round match with best friend Lucas Pouille could await.
Prediction: Tomas Berdych
Fourth Quarter
In the final quarter you have Roger Federer, who has decided to play in Montreal for the first time since 2011 and Kei Nishikori. Federer will play a Canadian in his first match as Peter Polansky and Vasek Pospisil will meet in the first round. The Swiss maestro could play in-form Jack Sock in the third round, with David Ferrer and Kyle Edmund also in this section of the draw. However Nishikori will face a difficult task in Steve Johnson or Gael Monfils in the second round, with Roberto Bautista Agut or Ryan Harrison awaiting as a third round opponent.
Prediction: Roger Federer
