Rafael Nadal will start the defence of his Rogers Cup title this week. He is a four-time winner of this event after getting the better of Stefanos Tsitsipas in last year’s final. The Rogers Cup alternates between Toronto and Montreal and the last winner in Montral was Alexander Zverez.
This is an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, but Nadal is the only one of the big three entering. Read our ATP Rogers Cup 2019 preview for more details.
ATP Montreal Rogers Cup Winner Odds*
Rafael Nadal 2/1
Alexander Zverev 9/1
Dominic Thiem 9/1
Daniil Medveev 11/1
Stefanos Tsitspias 12.1
Kei Nishikori 14/1
Nick Kyrgrios 16/1
Marin Cilic 16/1
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 3rd, 2019 at 4:12 p.m.)
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Outright Favourite
Rafael Nadal is both the outright favourite at 2/1 and the reigning champion then for this event* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 3rd, 2019 at 4:12 p.m.). This is his first outing since his Wimbledon semi-final exit at the hands of Roger Federer.
The Spaniard is W37 L6 this season with two titles under his belt. Nadal has won the Rogers Cup four times before. The last time that he played in Montreal was in 2017 when he lost in the round of sixteen to Denis Shapovavlov. Two of Nadal’s three Rogers Cup titles have happened in Montreal.
Nadal is in the top half of the draw as the top seed. The ranked seed that could meet in his section is 15th seed David Goffin, while Fabio Fognini (7th) is the top seed that he could meet in the quarter-finals. Potential semi-finalists could be Stefanos Tstispias or Kei Nishikori.
Top Picks
Alexander Zverev was the last player to win the title in Montreal. So he will have fond memories of that success. He is going in the third quarter of the draw, and potentially has a couple of tricky ties ahead. The German could meet 13th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in the third round and potentially Karen Khacanov or home favourite Milos Raonic in the quarters.
Following a shock first-round exit at Wimbledon, Zverev recently got to the semis of Hamburg. Zverev goes into the draw as the 9/1 joint second-favourite alongside the next man* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 3rd, 2019 at 4:12 p.m.).
Dominic Thiem is the second seed and much as it is for Zeverv, there could be a tricky quarter for the Austrian to get through. He may have to face Canada’s Denis Shapoavalov in the second round (who was a semifinalist two years ago) and then former US Open winner Marin Cilic could be a third-round opponent.
Pile on top of that, potentially one of Daniel Medvedev, Nick Kyrgious or Kyle Emdund in the quarters, there’s not an easy ride ahead for Thiem as a 9/1 chance* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 3rd, 2019 at 4:12 p.m.). Thiem has been fairly quiet since the French Open.
Top Each Way Picks
Just in case Rafael Nadal has a bad day at the office somewhere down the line, then Greece’s Stefanos Tsitisipas should have a showing. If he was down in the bottom half of the draw he would probably be a bit shorter than the 12/1 odds that he is starting the tournament at* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 3rd, 2019 at 4:12 p.m.). That having been said there shouldn’t be anything to stop him reaching the quarters.
Both quarters in the bottom half are tough ones, being super competitive. Because of how wide open they look then young Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime on home soil has to be worth a little look at 18/1 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 3rd, 2019 at 4:12 p.m.).
He was building up a big head of steam ahead of Wimbledon and while he couldn’t make it past the third round at SW19 he beat fellow Canadian Vasek Pospisil in the first round there, which is who he is up against first at the Rogers Cup. He is a superbly talented young player with a cool head on his shoulders. There is the potential of a mouthwatering third-round clash with fellow Canadian Milos Raonic.
The other has to be 16/1 shot Nick Kyrgios* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 3rd, 2019 at 4:12 p.m.) although he is always a volatile risk for punters. He was at his entertaining best in Washington over the last week, winning the final there as an unseeded player. He took out Stefanosi Tsitpatas in the semis as well in a long match before beating Medvedev in the final. Brilliant and unpredictable. Fortunately, the latter part usually means there’s each-way value on him.
Predictions
It has to be Nadal even at such poor odds to win the thing outright. The fact that he is sitting in the much easier half of the draw has to count for a lot as well. Plus he is coming in fresh as well after a nice break from Wimbledon. Oh yes, he’s the reigning champion too and therefore all the pieces of the puzzle fall together.
So the best option is to look for each way flutter from the bottom half of the draw to oppose him with. That bottom half is absolutely chock full of contenders. It’s such a difficulty pick as to who could battle their way through it. We are going to roll with Felix Auger-Aliassime to put in a good run at that 18/1 quote* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 3rd, 2019 at 4:12 p.m.)
