Three interesting third round picks from the Canadian Open today, and honestly it's a round with a bit more uncertainty than you'd expect on paper. Let's get into it.
Canadian Open Predictions
Learner Tien vs Tommy Paul
Head-to-head: Tien 0-1 Paul
Paul took their only meeting, and at #21 in the world he's still the more experienced player in big moments, even if the gap between these two isn't massive anymore. Tien has been one of the more exciting young Americans on the tour this year and his hard-court game is genuinely dangerous, but Paul's consistency in best-of-three matches on this surface is hard to argue with.
I think this one goes the distance. Tien will make it uncomfortable, and Paul hasn't been immune to dropping sets against players who hit through him, but he should find a way through in the third, all things considered.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Casper Ruud vs Joao Fonseca
Head-to-head: Ruud 0-1 Fonseca
Fonseca already has a win over Ruud on his record, which is a remarkable thing to say about a 18-year-old who only turned pro not long ago. That previous win will do wonders for his confidence coming into this one, and on hard courts Ruud can struggle against players who take the ball early and hit flat, which is exactly what Fonseca does.
Ruud is a top-15 player and won't be easy to beat, but Fonseca in 3 feels right here. The Brazilian has looked sharp this week and this could be one of the matches of the round.
Prediction: Fonseca in 3
Zizou Bergs vs Ben Shelton
Head-to-head: Bergs 0-1 Shelton
Hard to see this being competitive at all. Bergs is a solid tour-level player and he's earned his ranking, but Shelton's serve on hard courts is a different problem entirely, and the American is comfortably the better player on this surface. Bergs has never really threatened the top-10 guys on hard courts consistently and Shelton's power game is about as bad a matchup as he could have drawn.
Shelton in 3, though Bergs might nick a set if Shelton goes cold from the line for a stretch.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Yannick Legare/ZUMA Press Wire