The Canadian Open continues this week as Ben Shelton faces Alexander Bublik while Holger Rune goes up against Milos Raonic in the round of 64. Damien Kayat previews.
Ben Shelton 11/20 | Alexander Bublik 14/10
This is not going to be one for the purists. Ben Shelton faces Alexander Bublik in a big-serving battle that will feature plenty of short, explosive exchanges.
This has been a slightly frustrating campaign for 21-year-old American Ben Shelton. The big-serving lefty took the tennis world by storm towards the end of last season, reaching the semi-finals at the US Open before claiming his maiden title in Japan. This season has been a bit stop-start for Shelton.
He won his first-ever clay-court title in Houston and then proceeded to really suffer during the remainder of the clay-court campaign. A 4th round run at Wimbledon was a move in the right direction.
And he validated his decision to skip this year’s Olympics with a highly creditable semifinal run at last week’s Citi Open. It was the type of no-nonsense performance that augers well for the remainder of this congested North American hardcourt season.
This has been yet another schizophrenic season for the ever-mercurial Alexander Bublik. The big-serving Kazakh has become an ever-present in ATP finals, reaching nine finals in the last four years. He won his fourth career title in Montpelier earlier this year and he also finished runner-up in the ATP 500 event in Dubai.
His form has plateaued since Dubai and he was even accused of tanking in Stuttgart (he withdrew from his quarter-final clash with Musetti with nary an explanation). He reached the third round at Wimbledon and was then eliminated by Taylor Fritz in his opening Olympic match.
Bublik adopts a unique approach that incorporates a variety of drop-shots. But he has struggled to become more prolific in elevated events (he has never gone beyond the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event or the 4th round of a slam). No great lover of the game, Bublik seems quite content with a career dominating minor events.
The Verdict: Shelton to win in straight sets 13/10
Bublik actually leads the head-to-head 2-0, beating the American when they met in Madrid earlier this year. I think that Shelton’s performance in Washington will give him a massive boost going into this match. Shelton is exuberance personified while Bublik is the total opposite. I think that Shelton will blow a potentially undercooked Bublik out of the water.
Holger Rune 57/100 | Milos Raonic 27/20
Holger Rune needs to worry less about his coaching setup and more about his own performances. I honestly think he uses coaching shakeups as a way of blame-shifting.
He recently parted ways (again) with Mouratoglou and I really don’t know what his next option is. He appears to be driven by ego and unable to take advice from anyone. Be that as it may, Rune is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young talents of this new generation.
Sure, he hasn’t been at his greatest this season. But he has still managed to reach four semifinals (finishing runner-up to Dimitrov in Brisbane). He has also been on the precipice of some really strong Masters 1000 runs, reaching the quarterfinals at Indian Wells and Monte-Carlo.
He also led Alex Zverev by two sets to one in their French Open 4th round clash. But the temperamental Dane imploded in pretty typical fashion and he needs to start owning the big moments. He retired due to a knee injury in Hamburg and he chose not to compete in Paris due to a long-standing wrist issue.
Hometown favourite Milos Raonic has had ridiculous issues with injuries throughout his career, returning to action this season playing under a protected ranking.
But he has struggled to maintain his fitness this year, retiring from a number of tournaments. But there have been little glimpses of the Raonic that we know and love.
He reached the quarter-finals in Rotterdam and Rosmalen. He also created a bit of history in Queens, serving 47 aces against Cameron Norrie, breaking the record for the most aces in a three-set match. And that’s really the weapon that needs to work for Raonic to prosper.
He has one of the most dominant serves in the history of the game and it helps mitigate some of his longstanding physical issues. He also has some history in Montreal, finishing runner-up to Rafael Nadal all the way back in 2013.
The Verdict: Raonic to win in three 42/10
This will be the first career meeting between these two. I really think that Raonic could turn back the hands of time against the erratic Rune. His serve is an absolute weapon and it could overwhelm the Dane.
He will also enjoy rambunctious home support and that could get under Rune’s skin.
