Canada Sport News

Key Matches to Watch on Wednesday at National Bank Open
  • Game coverage - preview
    •

    Key Matches to Watch on Wednesday at National Bank Open

    With the main draws now well underway at the 2024 National Bank Open, some elite tennis talent is set to hit the court in Montreal and Toronto on Wednesday.

    And despite the fact that two prominent Canadians — Milos Raonic (who withdrew with a shoulder injury) and Bianca Andreescu (who lost 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko) — didn’t make it out of the first round on Tuesday, more Can-con is about to be on display in both venues.

    Here’s what to watch for at Montreal-based IGA Stadium and Toronto’s Sobeys Stadium on Wednesday.

    Auger-Aliassime headlines Canadian crew in his hometown

    Fresh off losing the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics, Montrealer Felix Auger-Aliassime will be the primetime attraction Wednesday night at IGA. Auger-Aliassime, ranked 19th in the world, will take on 33rd-ranked Flavio Cobolli of Italy.

    “It was a week filled with beautiful emotions,” Auger-Aliassime said earlier this week of his time in France. “I’m proud to have contributed to the success of the Canadian team at the Games. A lot of pride returning here to Montreal. The Olympics is a special tournament.

    “I haven’t slept normally these last few days, but to come to Montreal, it gives me a lot of energy more than a pressure. I’m very motivated. I couldn’t train too much with the rain, but to see everyone that was present, it did me good and brought a smile to my face. I hope to push more. There will be time later in the season to have a rest. Now, it’s the time to continue to play well.”

    Two other Canadians will play first-round singles matches in Montreal. Veteran Vasek Pospisil is also slated to play a nighttime affair versus American Sebastian Korda. Pospisil, 34, received a wild-card berth into the tournament, while the 24-year-old Korda is ranked No. 18 in the world.

    Before that, Denis Shapovalov (106th) will face American Brandon Nakashima (52nd) in afternoon action.

    In Toronto, Leylah Fernandez (25th) will have the Canadian crowd’s support when she takes on veteran Chinese player Shuia Zhang on Wednesday night. Fernandez lost in the Round of 32 at the Olympics to German Angelique Kerber.

    Two other Canadian women on wild-card berths — 33-year-old Rebecca Marino and 19-year-old Torontonian Marina Stakusic — will also be in action on Wednesday afternoon. The veteran Marino takes on 43rd-ranked Magda Linette of Poland, while the green Stakusic will face qualifier Erika Andreeva of Russia.

    Defending champs in action

    American Jessica Pegula, ranked No. 6 in the world, will begin her NBO title defence in Toronto, facing Czechia’s Karolina Pliskova (45th) in a second-round match. The defending men’s champion is also slated to be on court, albeit in doubles action. Italian Jannik Sinner — the world No. 1 and 2024 Australian Open champion — teams up with American Jack Draper to face Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan) and Ben Shelton (United States). Sinner won’t begin his singles defence until Thursday.

    Other doubles action will see Stakusic and Marino team up in Toronto to face Americans Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sofia Kenin on Wednesday night after their singles matches, while Canadian men Liam Draxl and Benjamim Sigouin take on Germans Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz in Montreal.

    More from Sportsnet
    Canadians men’s doubles teams bounced at NBO in Montreal


    Canada’s Bianca Andreescu crashes out of National Bank Open in first round

    The National Bank Open, formerly known as the Rogers Cup, is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in North America. With top players from around the world competing for the title, fans are in for a treat with some exciting matches lined up for Wednesday.

    One of the key matches to watch on Wednesday is the clash between Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Djokovic, the world number one, is coming off a successful Wimbledon campaign where he claimed his 20th Grand Slam title. Tsitsipas, on the other hand, is a rising star in the tennis world and has already proven himself as a formidable opponent for the top players. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the best players on the tour.

    Another match to keep an eye on is the showdown between Naomi Osaka and Ashleigh Barty in the women’s singles. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, will be looking to make a statement against the world number one Barty. Both players have had successful seasons so far and this match is sure to be a test of their skills and mental toughness.

    In the men’s doubles, the match between the Bryan Brothers and the team of Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares is one not to be missed. The Bryan Brothers, Bob and Mike, are legends in the doubles game and have won numerous titles together. Murray and Soares, on the other hand, are a formidable team with great chemistry on the court. This match promises to be a showcase of high-quality doubles tennis.

    Overall, Wednesday at the National Bank Open is shaping up to be an exciting day of tennis with some key matches that are sure to entertain fans. Whether you’re a fan of singles or doubles, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this prestigious tournament. Be sure to tune in and catch all the action as the top players battle it out for glory on the court.