By Tony Fairbairn
Elina Svitolina [10] v Naomi Osaka
Taylor Fritz [2] v Andrey Rublev [6]
Madison Keys [6] v Clara Tauson [16]
Ben Shelton [4] v Alex De Minaur [9]
MONTREAL, CANADA – Naomi Osaka aims to continue her resurgent form when she battles Elina Svitolina in the Montreal quarter-finals.
Elina Svitolina [10] v Naomi Osaka H2H & Match Fundamentals
Elina Svitolina [10] v Naomi Osaka
H2H: Osaka leads 4-3
WTA Montreal 2025
Montreal, Canada
Hard (O)
Prize Money: $107,000
Third on Centre Court (00:30 BST)
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
It’s another deep run at a big tournament for Elina Svitolina with the Ukrainian yet to drop a set in Montreal. A clinical display against Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova means Svitolina is back into the quarter-finals in Montreal as she looks to expand her portfolio and reputation at WTA 1000 level. It has been a consistent and successful season for Svitolina but will hope she can get past the quarter-final obstacle as she looks to add a couple of big titles to her season before 2026 comes around.
A big test awaits Svitolina in the quarter-finals in the form of a resurgent Naomi Osaka. The former US Open champion has produced some highly impressive tennis and a 48 minute victory for Osaka in the fourth round emphasised that point. It’s early days for Osaka with her new coach but so far it has proven successful as she has rediscovered not only her power but some effective variety as well. Now Osaka continues her bid to be seeded at the US Open as she looks to reach the last four in Canada for the first time in her career.
Svitolina will use the backhand to accelerate the pace of the rallies as she will test Osaka’s rally patience. Meanwhile, Osaka will aim to serve aggressively and use the forehand to dictate the pace of the rallies. This will be an entertaining contest with their previous matches being close encounters. Svitolina may just have the edge in the big points to reach the semi-finals here but if Osaka can consistently put pressure on the Ukrainian on return then this match could swing in the former world number one’s favour.
Prediction: Svitolina in three sets.
Taylor Fritz [2] v Andrey Rublev [6] H2H & Match Fundamentals
Taylor Fritz [2] v Andrey Rublev [6]
H2H: Fritz leads 5-4
ATP Toronto 2025
Toronto, Canada
Hard (O)
Prize Money: $189,075
Second on Centre Court (Not before Midnight BST)
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
A late night thriller for Taylor Fritz as the US Open finalist outlasted Jiri Lehecka in three tiebreaks to book a place in the Toronto quarter-finals. It has been an incredible last month for Fritz who continues to show he is ready to push the world’s best players at the biggest events. After going under the radar for so long, Fritz is now starting to show why he should be taken seriously with consistently impressive runs as he has evolved his game in the process. Now Fritz looks to take advantage of a weaker Masters 1000 draw to claim his second Masters 1000 title of his career.
The next test for Fritz will be a rejuvenated Andrey Rublev who has backed up his good Wimbledon campaign in fine fashion. The 27 year-old has often failed in the latter stages of big tournaments but this year getting to the latter stages of big tournaments has been a challenge in itself. However, Rublev isn’t one for giving up easily and has produced some impressive tennis to get his season back on track. Now the sixth seed will look to score a big win in his bid to get back to the world’s top ten.
Fritz will look to serve aggressively and will aim to mix up his patterns of play in order to force errors from Rublev. Meanwhile, Rublev will need to be smart on return as he looks to build up the points and find the perfect time to unleash his massive forehand. This will be a close encounter with small margins expected to decide this match. In the end Fritz’s clutch serving should get him over the finishing line.
Prediction: Fritz in three sets.
Madison Keys [6] v Clara Tauson [16] H2H & Match Fundamentals
Madison Keys [6] v Clara Tauson [16]
H2H: Tauson leads 1-0
WTA Montreal 2025
Montreal, Canada
Hard (O)
Prize Money: $107,000
Second on Centre Court (Not before 23:00 BST)
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
It’s been a year full of milestones for Madison Keys who started the year by winning her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. The American has backed that up in fine fashion since then with some consistent results. However, Keys would love nothing more than to return to her form from the start of the year and claim Grand Slam success on home soil. A good week in Montreal will do her confidence the world of good and now she bids for a place in the semi-finals.
That will be easier said than done though as she takes on the in-form Clara Tauson. A phenomenal result for Tauson as she defeated Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek to reach the quarter-finals. The Dane’s power, consistency and variety has seen her have a fantastic breakthrough season and that has continued in Canada. The next step in Tauson’s development will be to keep raising her level so she can challenge for big titles. That bid will start in Montreal as she is three wins away from her first WTA 1000 trophy.
Keys will use the serve to pin Tauson behind the baseline as she will need to display her variety in this match. Meanwhile, Tauson will look to use the forehand to find the angles on the court as she will look to make Keys run around the court and force the Australian Open champion into erratic errors. The variety and confidence in Tauson’s game could see her secure a shock win here as both players are in fine form at the moment.
Prediction: Tauson in three sets.
Ben Shelton [4] v Alex De Minaur [9] H2H & Match Fundamentals
Ben Shelton [4] v Alex De Minaur [9]
H2H: First Meeting
ATP Toronto 2025
Toronto, Canada
Hard (O)
Prize Money: $189,075
Third on Centre Court (01:30 BST)
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
An explosive match for Ben Shelton as he defeated Flavio Cobolli in a close encounter to book a spot in the quarter-finals. It’s been another good season for Shelton but will be hoping he can start to challenge for big titles as he has all the potential to achieve big success in the sport. There needs to be more consistency and variety though with Shelton looking to start that bid with a big run in Montreal which will give him momentum ahead of the US Open.
A big test awaits Shelton in the quarter-finals in the form of Alex De Minaur with the Australian knocking out Frances Tiafoe in the previous round. The Australian’s movement, power and variety means that De Minaur is a threat on any surface as he continues to make a breakthrough at big events. Now the ninth seed aims for more milestones ahead of the US Open as he looks to reach a Masters 1000 semi-final for the third time in his career and a second time in Canada.
Shelton will use the serve to pin De Minaur behind the baseline as he will look to dominate proceedings with the forehand. Meanwhile De Minaur will be smart on return using variety to force Shelton into errors. This will be a good contest with Shelton’s rally tolerance being tested here. In a first career meeting, the American should have enough consistent quality to advance to the last four.
Prediction: Shelton in three sets.
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