🇭🇷 Borna Ćorić vs 🇮🇹 Matteo Gigante

🇭🇷 Borna Ćorić vs 🇮🇹 Matteo Gigante – ATP Toronto R1 Preview

🎾 Monday, July 28 · ATP 1000 Toronto · Outdoor Hard

🧠 Form & Context

Borna Ćorić 🇭🇷

• 🤕 Battling inconsistency: Dominated the Challenger circuit in 2025 with four titles but has gone 0–3 in ATP main draws since Almaty 2024
• ⚡ Needs rhythm on hard: Just 1–2 on the surface in 2025; struggling to find his signature backhand depth and serve patterns
• 📉 Slipping rank: Despite Challenger success, remains outside the top 90 due to inability to convert sets into match wins on tour

Matteo Gigante 🇮🇹

• 🎾 Breakout moment: Reached R3 at Roland Garros with a win over Tsitsipas; cracked top 125 for the first time
• 🔄 Hard-court rise: Reached second rounds at Indian Wells and Rome Masters; 7–4 on hard in 2025
• 🚀 Riding confidence: Form and freedom suggest he’ll play aggressively and without pressure here

🔍 Match Breakdown

Serve & Return: Gigante’s lefty slice serve will create natural angles and force Ćorić wide on returns. Ćorić must establish depth on his kick serve and avoid short balls early in rallies.

Baseline Dynamics: Ćorić’s flat, heavy backhand is a weapon in extended rallies. Gigante thrives on quick-strike patterns—especially off forehand angles and net approaches. The player who controls court positioning wins the tempo battle.

Mental Edge: Gigante enters with confidence and little to lose. Ćorić, by contrast, will be tested mentally—he’s used to top-tier pressure but hasn’t been able to finish matches at this level recently.

🔮 Prediction

This could go either way depending on form. Gigante will bring energy and aggression, but if Ćorić rediscovers his timing and remains steady on serve, his higher level of tour experience should pull him through in a tight battle.

🧩 Pick: Borna Ćorić def. Matteo Gigante 6–4, 4–6, 7–5