ATP Masters in Toronto, 2nd round, Wednesday, 09.08.2023
From the “Things that have really never happened at the Canada Masters: A finalist from Italy! Not an uninteresting piece of information, as I will now deal with two strong players from this country who will meet directly in Round 2.
Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini are among the best, although one of them is only fighting his way back into the elite this year. In the direct duel, interestingly enough, we see the two compatriots for the very first time.
Who is stronger and why, for whom is hard court the decisive advantage? I’ll answer these questions in my Berrettini Sinner tip and also reveal why I see the younger player ahead, which is also Betway’s assessment!
It was a comeback made to measure, a sign that his long suffering has finally come to an end! Matteo Berrettini was considered a top favourite for the title before Wimbledon 2022, before a Corona infection hit him.
For months, he bumbled around beyond the best places and just couldn’t seem to find his way back to his old strength. Then, a few weeks ago in London, the Roman-born showed what he was still capable of.
Wins against Lorenzo Sonego, Alex de Minaur and Alexander Zverev, three won tiebreaks, suddenly he was back to his old self! He only failed against the eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz, losing 6-3, 3-6, 3-6, 3-6.
After this strong result, he took some time to prepare himself suitably for the hard court. A surface that actually suits the very strong-serving Italian very well.
Fittingly, he started off very well in Toronto, securing a 6-4, 6-3 win over Gregoire Barrere in the first round. 86% successful first serves, plus 84% points won on the first service, that’s how we know the 1.96 metre man.
Last year, when his sporting and mental slump was just beginning, he had lost 3-6, 2-6 to Pablo Carreno Busta at the start of the tournament. After all, he had lost against the future champion.
Now he will play Jannik Sinner for the first time ever. For our bettors, it looks like a rather close match, but they see Berrettini at a slight disadvantage with average odds of 2,50 to 1,50.
Jannik Sinner, the world number 8, had a walk-through at first and is only now entering the tournament against Berrettini. The 21-year-old also took a short break after Wimbledon, where he showed absolutely appealing performances.
For the first time in his career, he reached a semi-final at a Grand Slam, even though he lost out to Novak Djokovic 3-6, 4-6, 6-7, he can be pleased about a very positive result.
Both Sinner and Berrettini can shine on almost all surfaces and have been the best Italy has to offer in tennis for years. It is interesting that the first direct duel is only now taking place.
The South Tyrolean has not yet been able to celebrate great successes on Canadian soil. Two years ago, he was defeated by outsider James Duckworth in the first round, and in 2022 he lost to Adrian Mannarino in the round of 16.
His opponent? Also Pablo Carreno Busta! So Berrettini and Sinner share a common thread from last year, now they will know that only one can punch a ticket to the Round of 16.
My Berrettini Sinner Tip
Jannik Sinner is Italy’s best tennis player, but Matteo Berrettini will be looking to go toe-to-toe soon after his great performances at Wimbledon! Both were very strong on the London grass, now attack on hard court.
Berrettini was very confident in his 1st round, but now a top opponent emerges on the other side. In my analysis, I just see the younger one having more consistency, which is why my tip in the end is:
Sinner wins against Berrettini!
