By Tony Fairbairn
Taylor Fritz [2] v Ben Shelton [4]
Elena Rybakina [9] v Victoria Mboko [WC]
Alexander Zverev [1] v Karen Khachanov [11]
Clara Tauson [16] v Naomi Osaka
TORONTO, CANADA – Taylor Fritz battles Ben Shelton in an all-American clash for a place in the Toronto final.
Taylor Fritz [2] v Ben Shelton [4] H2H & Match Fundamentals
Taylor Fritz [2] v Ben Shelton [4]
H2H: Fritz leads 1-0
ATP Toronto 2025
Toronto, Canada
Hard (O)
Prize Money: $332,160
Third on Centre Court (01:30 BST)
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
A return to a convincing win for Taylor Fritz as he defeated Andrey Rublev to book his place in the final four in Toronto. The US Open finalist is stepping up his game in time for a big next few weeks for the American as he looks to defend those points he won in New York last year. The serve has definitely been the most impressive thing about Fritz’s game with the second seed hitting his spots well on the court and he will need to do the same here if he wants to reach the final in Canada for the first time.
Standing in Fritz’s way is Ben Shelton as the fourth seed took care of former finalist Alex De Minaur to secure a place in the semi-finals. In terms of big tournaments, it has been a confident season for the American but it’s in this part of the tournament where Shelton will need to step up his game. The 22 year-old has too often gone out in semi-finals of big events and will need to improve that side of his game if he wants to challenge for Grand Slam titles in the future. In what has been a depleted draw, this is the perfect opportunity for Shelton to prove that his time is now in terms of making that big breakthrough at Masters 1000 level.
Fritz will continue to be consistently accurate on serve using the backhand to put Shelton on the backfoot. Meanwhile Shelton will use the forehand to dominate the rallies as his returning will need to improve if he wants to win this match. This is expected to be a tight match although Fritz’s experience and confidence puts him at a slight advantage heading into this blockbuster semi-final.
Prediction: Fritz in three sets.
Elena Rybakina [9] v Victoria Mboko [WC] H2H & Match Fundamentals
Elena Rybakina [9] v Victoria Mboko [WC]
H2H: Rybakina leads 1-0
WTA Montreal 2025
Montreal, Canada
Hard (O)
Prize Money: $206,100
Second on Centre Court (Not before 23:00 BST)
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina seems to be getting her confidence back as she is into the semi-finals in Montreal. The Kazakh has been dominant for the most part in Montreal and is aiming to win a big title which has been missing from her consistent season this year. The ninth seed has produced some big performances but when it comes to the latter stages of tournaments, the final touch has been missing. Now with Rybakina the highest seed left in the draw, the Kazakh will know that the pressure is on as she looks to head into the US Open with momentum on her side.
A tough test awaits in the last four with Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko awaiting. The wildcard backed up her win over Coco Gauff in fine fashion by dismantling Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and securing her place in a WTA 1000 semi-final for the first time in her career. It probably won’t be her last appearance either as she has all the tools to go to the very top of the sport. The crowd is on her side this week and that will elevate her game even more as she will continue to use the underdog tag to her advantage and complete one of the best weeks of her life in style.
Rybakina will aim to be aggressive on serve, using the forehand as her go-to shot after the serve to dominate the rallies. Meanwhile, Mboko will take advantage of any short second serves and will look to be aggressive. This will be a tough match for Rybakina but the Kazakh’s consistent quality and experience may prove too much here.
Prediction: Rybakina in three sets.
Alexander Zverev [1] v Karen Khachanov [11] H2H & Match Fundamentals
Alexander Zverev [1] v Karen Khachanov [11]
H2H: Zverev leads 5-2
ATP Toronto 2025
Toronto, Canada
Hard (O)
Prize Money: $332,160
Second on Centre Court (Not before Midnight BST)
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
An impressive performance from Alexander Zverev as the top seed booked his place in the semi-finals by ending Alexei Popyrin’s title defence. The German has produced some resilient and consistent performances but will feel that some elements of his game haven’t been up to scratch so far in Canada. That will need to change if he wants to be a threat at the US Open and will now aim for some much needed momentum by winning a second title in Canada.
A tough test awaits Zverev in the form of a resurgent Karen Khachanov who has been in some excellent form recently. It was a mature performance from Khachanov as he comfortably defeated Alex Michelsen and reached the last four in Toronto. Although Khachanov has a powerful and consistent game, the 11th seed has always struggled when it has come to the pressure moments in tournaments. That will hope to change for Khachanov as he looks to win a second Masters 1000 title of his career this week.
Zverev will use the backhand to neutralise Khachanov and will need to be aggressive on return. Meanwhile, Khachanov will use depth on the backhand to set up big winners on the forehand side. This will be a tight match with Zverev’s clutch patterns of play in big moments being the key to victory here.
Prediction: Zverev in three sets.
Clara Tauson [16] v Naomi Osaka H2H & Match Fundamentals
Clara Tauson [16] v Naomi Osaka
H2H: Tauson leads 1-0
WTA Montreal 2025
Montreal, Canada
Hard (O)
Prize Money: $206,100
Third on Centre Court (00:30 BST)
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
There is no such thing as pressure in Clara Tauson’s world. After knocking out Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek, Tauson has backed that up by eliminating the Australian Open champion Madison Keys as well. It has been a breakthrough season for the Dane who has added variety to her powerful and consistent baseline game. However, Tauson isn’t done yet and would love to add a WTA 1000 title to her incredible season and will feel that Montreal is the perfect place to achieve that.
A resurgent Naomi Osaka will stand between Tauson and a second WTA 1000 final. It has been an incredible tournament for Osaka with a change of coach meaning a change in fortunes. That was evident in her win over Elina Svitolina and now Osaka is hoping her new found confidence and variety will mean that she can become a threat for Grand Slam titles again.
Tauson will take the ball early on the backhand, forcing Osaka into defensive positions on the court. Meanwhile, Osaka will use variety to disrupt the rhythm of Tauson as she will hit winners on the forehand side off short balls. Both players are in-form and feeling confident which will make for an exciting contest but it will be Osaka’s bigger power and more varied skillset that wins the day.
Prediction: Osaka in three sets.
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