Tennis News

Sinner's potential double duty leads super Saturday in Montreal

Top seed Jannik Sinner headlines a hectic Saturday schedule at the Omnium Banque National présenté par Rogers, where the Italian will need to pull double duty to reach the semi-finals and continue his title defence.

The 22-year-old, among several players who could play two matches in one day due to rain cancelling the entirety of Friday’s Montreal action, will play 15th seed Alejandro Tabilo not before 12:30 p.m. local time on Court Central. The winner will return to the same court not before 7 p.m. to face fifth seed Andrey Rublev or qualifier Brandon Nakashima in the quarter-finals.

Following Sinner and Tabilo on Court Central will be the third-round blockbuster between second seed Alexander Zverev and 13th seed Holger Rune. Zverev and Rune are level at 1-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, with the German winning their most recent match in five sets at this year’s Roland Garros.

Kei Nishikori looks to build upon his run at the ATP Masters 1000 event, beginning the day with a third-round match against Portugal’s Nuno Borges. The winner will close the Court Central evening session with a quarter-final meeting against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Matteo Arnaldi.

There are still three second-round matches to be completed, two of which have not commenced: fourth seed Hubert Hurkacz versus Thanasi Kokkinakis and the all-American clash between Taylor Fritz and Sebastian Korda. The winner of Fritz and Korda will play sixth seed Casper Ruud after suitable rest.

In other second-round action, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech leads Flavio Cobolli 3-0, 15/15 with the Italian serving. The winner faces Hurkacz or Kokkinakis after suitable rest Saturday.

This year’s Canadian ATP Masters 1000 tournament started on Tuesday, one day later than normal, due to the Paris Olympics. The final is scheduled for Monday.

Montreal Saturday Order of Play

COURT CENTRAL start 11:00 am
Second Round – [Q] T. Kokkinakis (AUS) vs [4] H. Hurkacz (POL) 00

Not Before 12:30 pm
Third Round – [1] J. Sinner (ITA) vs [15] A. Tabilo (CHI)
Third Round – [13] H. Rune (DEN) vs [2] A. Zverev (GER)

Not Before 7:00 pm
Quarter-finals – [1] J. Sinner (ITA) or [15] A. Tabilo (CHI) vs [Q] B. Nakashima (USA) or [5] A. Rublev
Quarter-finals – A. Davidovich Fokina (ESP) or M. Arnaldi (ITA) vs N. Borges (POR) or [PR] K. Nishikori (JPN)

COURT ROGERS start 11:00 am
Second Round – F. Cobolli (ITA) vs [Q] A. Rinderknech (FRA) 03
Third Round – [Q] B. Nakashima (USA) vs [5] A. Rublev
Third Round – [7] G. Dimitrov (BUL) vs A. Popyrin (AUS)

Not Before 4:00 pm
Third Round – After Suitable Rest – [6] C. Ruud (NOR) vs S. Korda (USA) or [9] T. Fritz (USA)

COURT 5 start 11:00 am
Second Round – S. Korda (USA) vs [9] T. Fritz (USA)
Third Round – N. Borges (POR) vs [PR] K. Nishikori (JPN)

Not Before 4:00 pm
Third Round – After Suitable Rest – F. Cobolli (ITA) or [Q] A. Rinderknech (FRA) vs [Q] T. Kokkinakis (AUS) or [4] H. Hurkacz (POL)
Quarter-finals – [4] M. Arevalo (ESA) / M. Pavic (CRO) vs [10] K. Krawietz (GER) / T. Puetz (GER)

COURT 9 start 11:00 am
Quarter-finals – D. Medvedev / R. Safiullin vs [3] R. Ram (USA) / J. Salisbury (GBR)
Third Round – A. Davidovich Fokina (ESP) vs M. Arnaldi (ITA)

Second Round – After Suitable Rest – [1] M. Granollers (ESP) / H. Zeballos (ARG) vs T. Etcheverry (ARG) / A. Tabilo (CHI) 64 10
Quarter-finals – TBA – [1] M. Granollers (ESP) / H. Zeballos (ARG) or T. Etcheverry (ARG) / A. Tabilo (CHI) vs [5] S. Bolelli (ITA) / A. Vavassori (ITA)

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Friday Montreal play cancelled due to rain

Friday’s play at the Omnium Banque National présenté par Rogers in Montreal has been cancelled for the day due to rain.

Tournament officials moved early in the day to abandon the full schedule as heavy and persistent rain associated with the remnants of post-cyclone Debby made the possibility of play at any stage of the day highly unlikely.

Today’s cancellation means that several top stars, headlined to Jannik Sinner, will need to play twice Saturday if they are to continue through the draw. Top seed Sinner will play 15th seed Alejandro Tabilo not before 12:30 p.m. on Court Central and if he wins, will return to the same court not before 7 p.m. to face the winner between fifth seed Andrey Rublev and qualifier Brandon Nakashima. 

There are still three second-round matches to be completed, two of which had not commenced: fourth-seeded Pole Hubert Hurkacz and Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis (who were rained out after their warm-up Thursday night) and ninth seed Taylor Fritz and Washington champion Sebastian Korda in an all-American clash.

The other second-round match sees Arthur Rinderknech leading Italian Flavio Cobolli 3-0.

This year’s Canadian ATP Masters 1000 tournament started one day later than normal on Tuesday due to the Paris Olympics. The final is scheduled for Monday.

Earlier today the doubles team of Jack Draper and Jannik Sinner withdrew. The British-Italian duo earned two victories to reach the quarter-finals. Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski advance to the last four by walkover.

Montreal Saturday Order of Play

COURT CENTRAL start 11:00 am
Second Round – [Q] T. Kokkinakis (AUS) vs [4] H. Hurkacz (POL) 00

Not Before 12:30 pm
Third Round – [1] J. Sinner (ITA) vs [15] A. Tabilo (CHI)
Third Round – [13] H. Rune (DEN) vs [2] A. Zverev (GER)

Not Before 7:00 pm
Quarter-finals – [1] J. Sinner (ITA) or [15] A. Tabilo (CHI) vs [Q] B. Nakashima (USA) or [5] A. Rublev
Quarter-finals – A. Davidovich Fokina (ESP) or M. Arnaldi (ITA) vs N. Borges (POR) or [PR] K. Nishikori (JPN)

COURT ROGERS start 11:00 am
Second Round – F. Cobolli (ITA) vs [Q] A. Rinderknech (FRA) 03
Third Round – [Q] B. Nakashima (USA) vs [5] A. Rublev
Third Round – [7] G. Dimitrov (BUL) vs A. Popyrin (AUS)

Not Before 4:00 pm
Third Round – After Suitable Rest – [6] C. Ruud (NOR) vs S. Korda (USA) or [9] T. Fritz (USA)

COURT 5 start 11:00 am
Second Round – S. Korda (USA) vs [9] T. Fritz (USA)
Third Round – N. Borges (POR) vs [PR] K. Nishikori (JPN)

Not Before 4:00 pm
Third Round – After Suitable Rest – F. Cobolli (ITA) or [Q] A. Rinderknech (FRA) vs [Q] T. Kokkinakis (AUS) or [4] H. Hurkacz (POL)
Quarter-finals – [4] M. Arevalo (ESA) / M. Pavic (CRO) vs [10] K. Krawietz (GER) / T. Puetz (GER)

COURT 9 start 11:00 am
Quarter-finals – D. Medvedev / R. Safiullin vs [3] R. Ram (USA) / J. Salisbury (GBR)
Third Round – A. Davidovich Fokina (ESP) vs M. Arnaldi (ITA)

Second Round – After Suitable Rest – [1] M. Granollers (ESP) / H. Zeballos (ARG) vs T. Etcheverry (ARG) / A. Tabilo (CHI) 64 10
Quarter-finals – TBA – [1] M. Granollers (ESP) / H. Zeballos (ARG) or T. Etcheverry (ARG) / A. Tabilo (CHI) vs [5] S. Bolelli (ITA) / A. Vavassori (ITA)

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Tsitsipas halts coaching partnership with father

Former world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas says his father Apostolos will no longer operate as his tennis coach.

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RIP my friend: Dimitrov & Co. farewell the one-handed backhand

One-handed backhand players are trading in their picturesque motions and precise ball striking for, well, something peculiar. And the ATP Tour stars are letting this drastic change — using two hands — seep into their daily lives.

Stefanos Tsitsipas is changing his morning grooming routine. Denis Shapovalov is finding it difficult to complete simple tasks. Dominic Thiem is hilariously frustrated. Why?

“The single-handed backhand is dead,” Grigor Dimitrov joked in the latest ATP Tour feature.”We’ve been trying to use two hands everywhere we can!”

How are the players reacting to this not-so-easy transition away from ‘poetry in motion’? Watch the full video below to find out.

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Tsitsipas ends coaching partnership with father

Stefanos Tsitsipas announced on Friday that his father Apostolos would no longer serve as his coach.

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my collaboration with my father as a coach has come to an end. I prefer to keep my father in his role as a father, and only as a father,” Tsitsipas wrote in Greek on social media.

“Philosophy teaches us that wisdom comes through understanding our limits and acknowledging our mistakes,” he continued. “In my case, I realised that I was wrong to talk to my father the way I did. Tennis is not just a match, a hit or a performance of a few seconds. It is a long journey full of emotions, pressure and expectations.

“In that moment of frustration, there were many mistakes and errors on the part of my coach and father. As an introvert, I tend to hold in my emotions and build them up until I reach a bursting point. I consider myself patient, so the fact that I reacted this way left me shocked.”

Σας ενημερώνω με βαριά καρδιά ότι η συνεργασία μου με τον πατέρα μου ως προπονητής έχει φτάσει στο τέλος της. Προτιμώ να κρατήσω τον πατέρα μου στον ρόλο του ως πατέρας, και μόνο ως πατέρας.

Η φιλοσοφία μας διδάσκει ότι η σοφία έρχεται μέσα από την κατανόηση των ορίων μας και…

— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@steftsitsipas) August 9, 2024

Tsitsipas fell in the second round in Montreal on Thursday to Kei Nishikori and spoke frankly about his father’s role following the match. Tsitsipas parted ways with his father in 2023 after he hired former World No. 8 Mark Philippoussis. Tsitsipas then split with the Australian two months later and resumed his partnership with his dad.

The 25-year-old won 11 tour-level titles under his father’s guidance, including the Nitto ATP Finals in 2019. The No. 11 in the PIF ATP Rankings is 35-15 on the year, highlighted by his title at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Monte-Carlo.

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A lot of changes that could be paying big dividends for Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina earned his biggest win of the season Thursday at the Omnium Banque National présenté par Rogers, where he upset third seed Daniil Medvedev.

“It’s not been an easy year for me,” the Spaniard said in his on-court interview. “A lot of changes in my life.”

One of those changes was to his team. Davidovich Fokina had worked with coach Jorge Aguirre from age 11, but at Roland Garros former No. 7 in the PIF ATP Rankings Fernando Verdasco became his coach.

“It’s a lot of years that I was with him and at the end, I think I was struggling about not going forward from the ranking [where] I was,” Davidovich Fokina, who reached a career-high World No. 21 last year, told ATPTour.com. “I think we had our limits. I decided to change [to] Fer because I think I have to have a top player that can tell me things that maybe my coach could not say. Because at the end, the feelings and the emotions and everything that Fernando has on court all his career, he will know how to manage those times.

“We started in Roland Garros, and we didn’t have a lot of time together. But we are working every day, and we are enjoying each other, because we know [each other] very well, and I know his family, and he knows me. He knows my people around me, then we are enjoying it.”

ADF THE SHOWSTOPPER 🕺@alexdavidovich1 defeats Medvedev for the first time! @OBNmontreal | #OBN24 pic.twitter.com/ltpOpS2gtz

— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 8, 2024

When Davidovich Fokina was growing up, Verdasco was one of the best players in the world. The younger Spaniard fondly recalls his coach’s memorable 2009 Australian Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal, which Nadal won in five gripping sets.

“The tie-break that he played that he was up 6/0 in the tie-break and how he played that tie-break, all the match was amazing,” Davidovich Fokina said. “But we always talk about that and the game with [Andy] Murray too, there are a lot of matches that we can talk about, and we’re still talking about it.”

The pair first met at the 2019 cinch Championships held at Queen’s Club in London. Davidovich Fokina was competing at the tournament for the first time and Verdasco was also in action.

“I felt that he cared about me when we met each other,” Davidovich Fokina said. “Through all the years, he was talking to me, he was helping me. He was texting me always. I was thinking, ‘Oh, he helps me sometimes’, and when… I saw that he’s more coaching, I said, ‘Okay, I think this is my time to do a change, and I think this is the right time’.”

Verdasco explained that they have always had a great relationship since they first met. When Davidovich Fokina called to ask for help, the lefty said he would do whatever he could.

“We ended up trying in Roland Garros, Queen’s and Wimbledon. Even though he couldn’t play Wimbledon, we were happy spending time together,” Verdasco said. “We’ve had a good relationship since the beginning, so it didn’t change at all. I think that’s the most important thing, that we had a good relationship before. At the end, the connection is very important to work good and to actually understand each other in an easier way.”

That was not the only change in 2024 for Davidovich Fokina. The Spaniard moved to Monte-Carlo and also got engaged.

“Well, at the end, it’s not easy, changes in your life,” Davidovich Fokina said. “I think the changes have to have a little bit of time to process everything, to settle down and to make sure what you want. And at the end, I’m very, very happy with the team I have right now with Fer. I think he’s helping me a lot and at the end, to have one guy next to you that he was one of the best guys on Tour, for me, it’s a huge help.”

The 25-year-old had a big smile on his face when he discussed his January engagement to his fiancé, Paloma. He said he was more nervous for that moment than closing out Medvedev in Montreal, and it was not particularly close.

“It’s very special. At the end, you always dream about that, to have a family, and we moved to Monte-Carlo too. Then we left Spain,” Davidovich Fokina said. “Everything is new in my life now. It’s not always easy [figuring out] how to adapt to it, because at the end all my life, I’ve been in Spain. I’ve been in my comfort zone, and going outside of my comfort zone is not easy. But I think I’m adapting very good. At the end, things are not going to come very quick. We have to wait and fight for it.”

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Hurkacz vs. Kokkinakis Montreal match delayed due to rain

Fourth seed Hubert Hurkacz and Thanasi Kokkinakis will have to wait to begin their second-round match at the Omnium Banque National présenté par Rogers, where Thursday rain has delayed the evening session. Play will not resume before 10 p.m. local time.

The 27-year-old Pole and Kokkinakis warmed up for their fourth Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting, but rain fell just as they were about to begin the match. Players briefly waited courtside before heading to the locker room.

Hurkacz, who is set to compete for the first time since knee surgery post-Wimbledon, gave a ballkid an unforgettable memory when he invited him to share an umbrella. The World No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings asked the ballkid questions such as, ‘Do you play tennis? Play any tournaments?’

The all-American match between ninth seed Taylor Fritz and Washington champion Sebastian Korda has been moved to Court 5. On Court Rogers, Arthur Rinderknech led Flavio Cobolli 3-0, 15/15 with the Italian serving when play was suspended.

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Nys & Zielinski down Montreal second seeds, next face Draper & Sinner

Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski reached the quarter-finals of the Omnium Banque National présenté par Rogers on Thursday, when they downed second seeds Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden 4-6, 6-3, 10-7.

Seeded 14th, the Monegasque-Polish team held its nerves in the closing stages, converting their fourth match point to set a quarter-final clash against singles stars Jack Draper and Jannik Sinner.

Daniil Medvedev and Roman Safiullin also rallied from a set down, overcoming sixth seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 3-6, 6-1, 10-7. Into the last eight, Medvedev and Safiullin will meet third seeds Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury. The 2021 champions defeated 15th seeds Lloyd Glasspool and Nikola Mektic 6-4, 7-6(4).

Fourth seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic, who won Roland Garros this year, advanced with a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory against ninth seeds Neal Skupski and Michael Venus.

Fifth-seeded Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori ousted 12th seeds Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson 6-3, 7-6(4). Bolelli and Vavassori are third in the PIF ATP Live Doubles Race To Turin.

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/08/09/00/27/bolelli-vavassori-montreal-2024-thursday.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.” />
^{Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in Montreal action Thursday. Credit: Peter Staples/ATP Tour}

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Boulter through as Haddad Maia retires after two games

Katie Boulter reaches the third round of the Canadian Open as Beatriz Haddad Maia retires after two games with a back problem.

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Sinner surges in Montreal opener

Top seed Jannik Sinner began his title defence in dominant fashion Thursday at the Omnium Banque National présenté par Rogers. Competing in his first singles match 30 days on from his Wimbledon quarter-final run, the Italian raced past Croatian Borna Coric 6-2, 6-4 in Montreal.

Sinner produced high-quality ballstriking and showed no signs of rust once he found his rhythm in the early stages. The 22-year-old, who missed the Paris Olympics due to tonsillitis, dropped just four points behind his first serve in what was his first hard-court match since winning the Miami title in March.

“I’ve been here for a little bit so I’m maybe a bit more used to the conditions, but still, I’m very happy about the performance,” Sinner said. “It was a very tough match. Even if you watched the score, it felt closer for sure. I had to save a break point in the second set and if he makes that one it could potentially change the match. It was a very good mindset today and I’ll try to keep going.”

The 14-time tour-level titlist honed in on deep returning to pressure Coric early in rallies. Sinner created 11 break chances, converting three of them, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

“Today I felt like I was hitting the ball quite cleanly,” said Sinner, who is in the doubles quarter-finals alongside Jack Draper. “It’s very tough to play here, it’s a bit breezy and windy and the ball flies a bit, so we try to get better day by day. Today was for sure a very positive day, so let’s see what’s coming.”

Sinner’s title run last year at the Canadian ATP Masters 1000 event marked his first trophy at that level. Turning 23 next week, Sinner has since soared to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. He boasts a 43-4 season record and leads the ATP Tour in hard-court wins (23) this year.

Aiming for his fifth title of the season, Sinner meets 15th seed Alejandro Tabilo in the Round of 16. The Canadian-born Chilean ousted Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 6-2. It will mark Sinner’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Tabilo, who in Rome upset Novak Djokovic for his first win against a World No. 1.

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