Carlos Alcaraz is all set to return to ATP motion for the primary time since his blockbuster win in opposition to Novak Djokovic within the Wimbledon ultimate final month. And whereas the Serb will not be a part of the match, having opted out citing fatigue, the Spaniard faces early risk from the likes of Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas because the trio have been drawn within the prime half of the Nationwide Financial institution Open Offered by Rogers draw on Friday.
Third Alcaraz vs Rune encounter brewing
This can be Alcaraz’s second look within the ATP Masters 1000 occasion in Canada and first ever in Toronto as he had suffered a second-round exit within the Montreal version of the match final 12 months. The 20-year-old is probably going so as to add to his rising rivalry with Rune as they may probably face within the quarters. It is going to be their third assembly on ATP tour, second in 2023 after Alcaraz’s quarterfinal win in Wimbledon and second at a Masters 1000 occasion after 2022 Paris-Bercy the place Alcaraz had retired after shedding the primary set within the final eight tie.
If the Spaniard goes previous the quarters, he has a potential risk in 2018 finalist Tsitsipas or seventh seed Jannik Sinner ready for a semifinal bout. Alcaraz, who acquired a bye into the second spherical, will start his marketing campaign in opposition to Ben Shelton or countryman Bernabe Zapata Miralles.
The Canadian Masters will mark the start of Alcaraz’s preparation for the US Open the place he’ll head in because the defending champion, having gained in 2022. Following the Toronto occasion, he’ll shift base to Cincinnati for his ultimate US Open tune-up match, the place Djokovic awaits.
Eyes on Daniil Medvedev in backside half
The second half of the draw may have one other US Open winner in Daniil Medvedev, who had gained the Toronto version of the Canadian Masters in 2021. The second seed has Atlanta winner Taylor Fritz in his quarter, with the American getting ready to a second successive ATP title as he already made the semis of Citi Open on Saturday.
One other potential quarterfinal from this part of the draw can be between sixth seed Andrey Rublev and 2022 US Open finalist Casper Ruud. However each should overcome a tricky third-round opponent with Rublev more likely to face Frances Tiafoe, who will start his marketing campaign in opposition to former World No. 3 Milos Raonic. The Canadian can be taking part in at dwelling for the primary time since 2019 and can be making his third look in a match this 12 months since making his return from damage in June. Ruud, then again, might run into fellow US Open finalist Alexander Zverev within the pre-quarters will the German set to open his journey with a match in opposition to Tallon Griekspoor.
Popcorn first-round matches
Gael Monfils and Wimbledon star Christopher Eubanks have drawn one another within the first spherical of the second quarter with the winner set to face Tsitsipas, who can be aiming for his second ATP Masters 1000 title along with Monte- Carlo.
In different opening-round motion, fifteenth seed Hubert Hurkacz will face Alexander Bublik, eleventh seed Cameron Norrie will tackle World No. 19 Alex de Minaur and Lorenzo Sonego can be up in opposition to three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray.
