Canadian Open 2024: Mackenzie McDonald vs Matteo Arnaldi preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (Q) Mackenzie McDonald vs Matteo Arnaldi
Date: August 7, 2024
Tournament: National Bank Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 64)
Venue: IGA Stadium, Montreal, Canada
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hardcourt
Prize Money: $6,795,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - Sportsnet, TVA Sports
Mackenzie McDonald vs Matteo Arnaldi Preview
American qualifier Mackenzie McDonald will take on Matteo Arnaldi of Italy in the first round of the 2024 Canadian Open. McDonald was last seen at the Citi Open, losing in two tiebreaker sets in the opening round against Mattia Bellucci of Italy.
Overall 2024 has been a woeful year for McDonald, with only four wins out of 5 matches so far. His best performance has been reaching the quarterfinals of the Hall of Fame Open in Newport. Barring that, the American has lost in the opening round of almost all the events that he took part in 2024.
However, McDonald won against the top seed in qualifying, beating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round after losing the first set. He then had a tough straight-sets win over James Duckworth in the final qualifying round to make a place in the main draw.
Matteo Arnaldi is having a moderate season so far in 2024, which is evident from his 20-18 record this year. He last played at the Paris Olympics, losing to Dominik Koepfer in the second round. Arnaldi has had some good moments so far this season but title challenges have eluded him.
The Italian reached the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International and the Barcelona Open. He also had a decent run at the French Open, reaching the fourth round before losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Mackenzie McDonald vs Matteo Arnaldi head-to-head
This is the first time the two players will play each other on the ATP Tour.
Mackenzie McDonald vs Matteo Arnaldi odds
(Odds will be updated once available)
Mackenzie McDonald vs Matteo Arnaldi Prediction
McDonald had one of his best seasons in 2023. He reached a career-high rank of 37 in singles, and had four wins over top 10 players, the most notable of which was against Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open. McDonald had his breakthrough at the Canadian Open last year, where he reached the quarter-finals. But the form of the American has completely nosedived this season, as he is currently 93rd on the rankings.
Arnaldi is having his best year on tour so far, in 2024. The Italian reached the fourth round of a major for the first time, which included a win over a top 10 player like Andrey Rublev. On the hard courts, Arnaldi reached the fourth round of the Miami Open which was a career-best performance for him.
Given the McDonald's decline of form and the relative upswing in Arnaldi's form, the Italian has the advantage going into this encounter.
Pick- Arnaldi to win in straight sets