ATP Montreal Masters – Match Preview

Fernando Verdasco vs. Tobias Kamke

Fernando Verdasco starts against qualifier Tobias Kamke in the first round of the Montreal Masters.

The common consensus is that Verdasco could be one to watch over the next few weeks. The mercurial Spaniard has rediscovered his touch in the past few weeks and he looked sharp in Washington before losing to eventual winner Radek Stepanek in the quarters. Seeded 15th this week he could provide an interesting test for Rafael Nadal as early as the third round.

Kamke certainly did not have things his own way in qualifying but he won two three setters to earn his place on the big stage. The German won the ATP newcomer award last year but has not found it easy adapting to life at this level week in, week out. He was hammered by John Isner early on at the Legg Mason Classic last week and he will do well to stop Verdasco strolling through for a routine win.

Marin Cilic vs. Juan Martin Del Potro

Marin Cilic clashes with Juan Martin Del Potro in one of the hotly anticipated clashes on day two of the Montreal Masters.

Del Potro reached the final of this event two years ago and he made a confident return, crushing Jarkko Nieminen 6-4, 6-0, a performance which will have left tennis lovers salivating at the prospect of a potential third round meeting with Novak Djokovic.

Del Potro looked far more at ease than in Los Angeles a fortnight ago. “I [had more] confidence with my forehand and serves," he said. "After you win the first set, you feel sometimes you have the control of the match. It's what I felt today. I was trying to do different things. I played well.”

“I'm doing well this season. I already won two tournaments. I made the semi-finals. I beat Top 10 players. Many good things for me in this year. But, of course, I'm looking forward for the next Grand Slam. It's my favourite. And I will be there [for the first time since winning the title in] 2009, so it will be fantastic for my confidence.”

Cilic has started to find his game in the past few weeks, reaching the final of his hometown event in Umag and he made a solid start with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Andreas Seppi.

However he has only ever beaten Del Potro once and that was at last year's Australian Open when the Argentine was already struggling with his wrist injury. Their most recent encounter came at the Madrid Masters when Del Potro crushed Cilic 6-3, 6-0.

Marcos Baghdatis vs. John Isner

Marcos Baghdatis is in action against John Isner in one of the featured matches on day two of the Montreal Masters.

Isner has been one of the most successful players so far on the North American hard court swing. It's been a superb month so far for him, kick-starting his season after a disappointing first 6 months.

He won Newport, made the Atlanta final and at the weekend, was within a point of defeating Gael Monfils in the Washington semi-finals. Isner has rarely competed at the Canadian Masters in the past as the Legg Mason Classic is always a big priority for him and he often feels it's a bit too much to compete for three weeks in a row. However this year he's decided to go for it.

It's been a poor season for Baghdatis, quite a disappointment after all the stories in December about his intense off season training regime. It hasn't converted into results and the Cypriot has struggled to find his game on the hard courts this summer, losing early in LA and crashing out to Donald Young in last week's Washington quarters.

Isner has played a lot of tennis recently and is extremely match tough. He should come through this one in straight sets.

Novak Djokovic vs. Nikolay Davydenko

Novak Djokovic begins his quest to make another little piece of history when he takes on Nikolay Davydenko in the second round of the Montreal Masters.

Djokovic could become the first man ever to win five Masters 1000 titles in a season if he triumphs this week. The Serb has virtually swept the board so far, picking up Indian Wells, Miami, Rome and Madrid in an unprecedented display of dominance.

He last won the Rogers Cup in 2007, announcing himself as a genuine threat for the big titles by beating Andy Roddick, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer back-to-back. It would be a fitting symbolism if he triumphs again this week, confirming his ascension to the top spot.

It will be interesting to see how determined Djokovic is this week. The big prize awaits in a few weeks at Flushing Meadows, will he be prepared to give it everything over the next week to the possible detriment of his chances in New York ?  The good news for Serbian fans is that Djokovic has been sounding hungry for success in his pre-tournament press conferences and his fitness is better than ever.

"I have recharged my batteries, and I am ready for the upcoming couple of months," he said. And he insisted that although he's now number one, nothing will change.

"I try not to change anything in particular, I've tried to keep the things very simple the way I have practiced and the way I have approached my tennis career in general up to the moment where I was No. 1," Djokovic explained.

Davydenko enjoyed a routine win over Italy's Flavio Cipolla yesterday and he will be hoping to roll back the years today. Djokovic leads 3-2 on the head-to-head but he definitely could have been given an easier opponent than the former world number three.

All of Djokovic's past wins over the Russian came at the ATP World Finals. It will be another hard fought baseline scrap but you really can't see Djokovic in his current mood going out early.

Bernard Tomic vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

At a lesser event, this second round match would make a fine final. France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga made the semifinals of Wimbledon, while opponent Bernard Tomic of Australia was a surprise quarterfinalist at the All-England Club.

Tsonga is much higher ranked at No. 16 (Tomic is No. 68), but the Australian has just the sort of game designed to frustrate a hard-hitter like Tsonga. Tomic siphons pace from the ball before sending back to his opponent. Players who are unaccustomed to generating their own pace tire more quickly, make more errors and generally get irritated when playing Tomic.

Richard Gasquet vs. Thomaz Bellucci

France’s Richard Gasquet already has a win over Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil this year. The bad news for Bellucci is that the win came on the Brazilian’s favored surface of clay at the French Open. Gasquet will be much tougher for the clay-courter to get past on quicker hard courts.

Gasquet has had good results at big tournaments this year. The Frenchman made the round of 16 at both the French Open and Wimbledon, which was his last tournament before coming to Montreal.