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Marcos Giron vs James Duckworth: ATP Montreal – First round
The American Marcos Giron will take on James Duckworth in the opening round of ATP Montreal.
Marcos Giron Profile
Marcos Giron has the highest ranking of his career being No. 37 in the world. The American is 20-19 for the season and 4-6 on hard.
Giron is coming off a 6-1, 6-4 loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the opening round of the Olympic tournament. The week before, he won his first title in five years. In the final in Newport, Giron defeated Alex Michelsen 6-7, 6-3, 7-5.
In February this year, he lost the final at the Phoenix Challenger to Tommy Paul, 7-6, 5-7, 6-3.
This is his second appearance in Montreal after losing in the opening round in 2022.
James Duckworth Profile
James Duckworth is 80th in the ATP rankings, while his career high was No. 46. The Australian is 34-20 for the season and 17-10 on hard.
Duckworth is coming into the main draw as a lucky loser after failing 7-6, 7-6 to Mackenzie McDonald in the second qualifying round. In Washington, he lost in the opening round to Reilly Opelka 6-7, 7-5, 6-4.
His best result of the season was the final of the Szenzhen Challenger where he lost to Lloyd Harris.
This is his first time in the third try to reach the main draw in Montreal.
Head-to-Head Giron leads 1-0
- Giron vs Duckworth 7-6, 6-3 (2022 ATP San Diego, quarterfinals)
Prediction and Conclusion
James Duckworth is back among the top 100 players this season, but it is a real question if he can go any higher than this. The Australian played well on hard surfaces in the first part of the season and has a tough time adapting back after the grass season. Marcos Giron is playing excellently and has reached the highest ranking of his career. He will have the support of the crowd on his side, and with the extra quality he possesses compared to his opponent, Giron will win this one in straight sets.
