No.1 seeds Daniil Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka have already collected several 1000-level titles each (three for Medvedev, four for Sabalenka). But they’ll both be thoroughly tested on Friday in their quest to add another, by two recent 1000-level hard court champions. Medvedev will take on Miami champion Hubert Hurkacz, while Sabalenka plays Western & Southern Open champ, and fellow Belarusian, Victoria Azarenka.
Each day, this preview will analyze the most intriguing men’s and women’s matchup, while highlighting other notable matches on the schedule. Friday’s play gets underway at 12:00pm local time.
Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Victoria Azarenka (8) – 12:00pm on Centre Court in Montreal
Over the last two years, they’ve played three times on hard courts, with two of those meetings occurring at the US Open. Sabalenka leads 2-1 in their rivalry. The one victory Azarenka earned was last summer in New York, part of an 11-0 stretch for Vika. But since that time, Aryna has played and won a lot more matches. Dating back to last October, Sabalenka is 46-12, with four titles. Azarenka is 20-6 during that same span, and has withdrawn from four matches this year due to injury. This will be a loud, blistering affair between two players that do not hold anything back. Sabalenka is surely feeling confident coming off her first Major semifinal at Wimbledon, and she possesses the fire power to control her destiny on this surface. She’s a slight favorite to advance.
Daniil Medvedev (1) vs. Hubert Hurkacz (7) – Not Before 7:00pm on Stadium Court in Toronto
This is a rematch from a dramatic round of 16 match last month at SW19. Hurkacz was down two-sets-to-one when rain stopped the match. As they restarted the next day, Hubi dominated the proceedings, prevailing 6-3 in the fifth. Like Sabalenka, that was his first Slam semi, and came on the heels of an 0-6 streak following his title in Miami. That was the most recent 1000-level hard court event, so obviously Hurkacz is comfortable in this setting. But he participated in an exhausting, and often rather ugly three-setter late on Thursday night against Nikoloz Basilashvili. And over the last nine months, no one has excelled on hard courts more than Medvedev, who is 31-4 on this surface since November. Hubi’s serving prowess should not be dismissed, but Daniil’s versatility should enable him to reach his second consecutive semifinal in the Great White North.
Other Notable Matches on Friday:
Stefanos Tsitsipas (3) vs. Casper Ruud (6) – The Norwegian has won three straight titles and 15 consecutive matches, though none of those victories have come over top 40 players. Earlier this year on the clay of Madrid, Ruud upset Tsitsipas in straight sets.
Karolina Pliskova (4) vs. Sara Sorribes Tormo – In their only previous meeting, at the 2017 Australian Open, Pliskova dominated Sorribes Tormo 6-2, 6-0. But four-and-a-half years later, the Spaniard has become one of the sport’s toughest outs, wearing down opponents with her defense and lack of errors.
Coco Gauff (15) vs. Camila Giorgi – This is already Gauff’s seventh quarterfinal on the year. Giorgi has been dangerous of late, winning 11 of her last 15 matches. In May on clay, Gauff defeated Giorgi in straight sets.
Roberto Bautista Agut (10) vs. Reilly Opelka – Both men saved match points to advance on Thursday. Bautista Agut survived a grueling three-setter against Diego Schwartzman, while Opelka overcame Lloyd Harris in a third-set tiebreak. Roberto leads their head-to-head 2-1, with all three matches contested on hard courts within the past two years.
Gael Monfils (11) vs. John Isner – This is the first time the newly-married Monfils has won back-to-back matches in 18 months. These two have a storied history, consisting of 12 matches dating back to 2007. Monfils leads 7-5, and has claimed four of their last five.
Friday’s full Order of Play is here.
