Good morning, Court Theorists! ☕️☀️🍁
Today’s tennis mood: Worn out by a slow wind-down but happy for a day session again.
Let’s tennis!
-Allen
🎾 On tap: Welp, we’re back to a day session in Montreal today, thanks to a rained-out evening last night that kept players from taking the court (one doubles match was completed, though). That means play is scheduled to begin in the MTL at 12:30 with Luciano Darderi vs. Brandon Nakashima. That’s followed by Rafael Jodar vs. Arthur Fils — and then the intended night session. In Toronto, it’s business as usual with two strong matches: Belinda Bencic vs. Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka vs. Elena Rybakina (who somehow have never played each other).
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🎾 One to watch: Rafael Jodar vs. Arthur Fils (Quarterfinals - ATP 1000 - Montreal): It’s a rematch (again)! Jodar is still in his first year on the pro tour, but these two have already played twice. Expect fun, explosive hitting and massive serving. This match will likely be determined by how willing each one is to play defense — and then their ability to turn that defense into offense.
The record: The record between Rafael Jodar and Arthur Fils is tied at one apiece. Jodar won the most recent meeting on the hard courts of Washington just two weeks ago.
On the line: For these two especially, this face-off is about pride between two young guns. For Fils, there’s the additional consideration of needing matches after a rough late spring/early summer. And Jodar is keenly aware that he has shot at hitting the top 10 before the U.S. Open. So every win is a step toward that achievement.
🎾 🏆 🎤 YOUR CALL
And that’s game.
