<p>Unlike their meeting there two years ago which saw Medvedev take home his first (and to-date only) Slam title, there were no nerves from Djokovic on this day as he controlled the greater part of the match to claim his fourth career title in Flushing Meadows.   </p>
<p>Djokovic came out firing on all cylinders, quickly holding and then breaking for a 2-0 lead in the opening set. He raced through the rest of the set looking sharp in all aspects of his game, particularly at the net, as he took the opener 6-3.  </p>
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3pNQ6hDwBPg" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<p>In the second set Medvedev upped his effort and his footspeed increased while Djokovic seemed to tire which led to the tightest set of the match that lasted one hour and 44 minutes. The World No. 3 held a break point when Djokovic served at 3-4 but could not capitalize.  </p>
<p>The points were becoming increasingly grueling and things culminated with a tiebreak. After back-to-back epic points to see the pair locked at 5-5, Medvedev played the next two a bit too loosely allowing Djokovic the two set to love lead.  </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/djokovic-triumphs-again-in-australia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Djokovic Triumphs Again in Australia </a></strong></p>
<p>Djokovic could sense he was approaching the finish line and broke his opponent early on in the third set. While Medvedev did manage his only break of the match in the next game, that was as much opposition as he would muster. Djokovic took the match on a Medvedev forehand into the net and tears of joy quickly appeared in his eyes as he soaked in the moment.  </p>
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/G8ZUJwb8-Ac" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<p>“It obviously means the world to me,” Djokovic said after the match in his post-match address to the crowd. “I’m kind of repeating myself but I have to say it every time: I’m really living my childhood dream to compete at the highest level in the sport that has given me and my family so much. Coming from very difficult circumstances and adversities, during the 90s, a couple of wars in our country, and being able to push through. Especially for my parents, giving a lot of sacrifice to support me to play. I love you so much.”  </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/novak-djokovic-grabs-slam-no-23-roland-garros" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Novak Djokovic Grabs Slam No. 23 at Roland-Garros</a></strong></p>
<p>For the fourth time in his career, Djokovic has captured three of the four majors in a season and also made the finals of all of them as well for the third time. He returns to the No. 1 ranking Monday and will continue to add to his already record-setting achievement of 389 weeks at that position on the ATP Tour.  </p>
<h3>Rest of the Field </h3>
<p>Despite having a lackluster summer hard court season, Medvedev found his game in New York, making his way to his fifth major final and defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals. While many were expecting and anticipating <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/carlos-alcaraz-captures-first-wimbledon-title" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">another Alcaraz vs Djokovic final</a>, Medvedev played terrific tennis to beat the 20-year-old. </p>
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YvO9jYFPxOI" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<p>It was almost shocking that Alcaraz was unable to make his way to the finals. With the way he and Djokovic elevated the sport once again when <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/djokovic-outlasts-alcaraz-thriller-cincinnati-title" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">they met for the title in Cincinnati</a> a couple of weeks ago, tennis fans and media pundits alike felt they were destined to meet yet again. Medvedev clearly had other ideas in store.  </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/rivard-paris-2024-all-eyes-denmark" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paris 2024 - All eyes on Denmark </a></strong></p>
<p>This year’s installment of the US Open was definitely a positive one for American tennis players on the men’s side. Four men made it to the round of sixteen and three remained in the quarter-finals.  </p>
<p>It was no surprise to see both Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz make it to that stage, as both have been delivering consistent results over the last two years.  </p>
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JL5C4Qb3InA" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<p>20-year-old Ben Shelton was the more surprising one of the group, as he made his second Slam quarter-final, delivering regular 140+ mph serves throughout the event, but had been struggling with consistency since the Aussie Open in January. </p>
<p>Another player who definitely elevated their game from previous summer hard court results was Andrey Rublev who went 0-2 in the Toronto and Cincy back-to-back but made the ninth major quarter-final of his career. He has still yet to get past that stage and fell at the hands of his friend and compatriot Medvedev in straight sets.  </p>
<h3>Canadian Content </h3>
<p>It was slim pickings for the Canadian men in singles competition as <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/auger-aliassime-raonic-bounced-in-us-open-round-one/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">both Felix Auger-Aliassime and Milos Raonic fell in the opening round.</a>  </p>
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XSeUzAPO9lo" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<p>For Felix, it was a continuation of a very challenging year that has seen him lose eight of his last ten matches on Tour. The 23-year-old says he’s healthy at least, but the wins have been hard to attain and he’s about to enter a stretch of the year where he has tournament-winning points to defend at three events this Fall.  </p>
<p>Raonic for his part was only playing in his fourth tournament since returning to the ATP after a two-year absence and he had the unenviable task of facing seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in his first-round match who dispatched him in straight sets. Raonic plans to play some of the Asian Fall events followed by Vienna and the Paris Masters so his comeback is very much alive! </p>
<h3>Doubles Draw </h3>
<p>In Doubles, the third-seeded duo of Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury captured the title with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden. There wasn’t much separating the two teams in this one, in fact the vanquished duo of Bopanna and Ebden took 81 points compared to 80 for the victors. Toronto tennis fans will recall Ram and Salisbury <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-atp-de-la-journee/2023/cashmere-wrap-sinner-winner-first-masters-1000-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">making the finals of the NBO</a> earlier this summer. </p>

Tour Results

Novak Djokovic Grabs Slam No. 24 at US Open

<p dir="ltr">What a week of tennis! There was never any doubt that the talented women of the WTA Tour would treat Montrealers to the best that the sport has to offer – and they certainly did so, as fans throughout the week truly got to Feel Tennis at the highest level from start to finish.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Let’s look back on the incredible week of tennis we were all treated to in this final Peroni Nastro Azzuro Refresh.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Qualifying weekend saw record turnout as fans and their families enjoyed not only the great activities around the site as part of IGA Family Weekend but also a stacked qualifying draw. The highlight of qualifying was a blockbuster clash between fan-favourite Genie Bouchard and eventual quarter-finalist Danielle Collins, which was won by the American, 6-1, 1-6, 6-1. </p><figure><img src="/files/_default/12008858/Pascal-Ratthe_2023-08-08_4181_2023-08-13-231731_gwtp.webp" alt="Caroline Wozniacki" /><figcaption>Photo : Pascal Ratthé</figcaption></figure><p dir="ltr">The luck of the draw was on Canadians’ side, as all three Canadian wild cards drew qualifiers in their opening round. Leylah Fernandez was the sole Canadian to advance, defeating Peyton Stearns in straight sets. Fans were also treated to Caroline Wozniacki’s first win in three years after retiring from the sport to start a family, as well as a wild win for the also-comebacking Jennifer Brady, who downed Jelena Ostapenko 7-6(7), 0-6, 7-6(8) in one of the craziest scorelines you’ll see in tennis.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In second round action, most of the tournament’s top seeds survived stern challenges across the board, with only Caroline Garcia and Maria Sakkari losing out in their opener. A blockbuster clash between last year’s finalist Beatriz Haddad Maia and Fernandez was the highlight of the second round, as the Canadian favourite survived three tough sets to thrill the Montreal crowd with a win.</p>
<figure><img src="/files/_default/12008855/Pascal-Ratthe_2023-08-09_5293.webp" alt="Leylah Fernandez" /><figcaption>Photo : Pascal Ratthé</figcaption></figure><p dir="ltr">Rain delays – which would be a challenge throughout the week – saw Elena Rybakina play an epic against Brady over the course of two days as ultimately she edged out the win in three close sets. And that wouldn’t be the only epic for Rybakina, as she defeated Daria Kasatkina in one of the best matches this season, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(8), and finishing just before 3 o’clock in the morning.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On the other half of the draw, Pegula would face good friend Coco Gauff, eliminating her doubles partner in three tightly contested sets. Top seed Iga Swiatek managed to navigate a tricky draw to reach the semi-finals despite never feeling fully comfortable with the quicker conditions and heavier balls. </p>
<figure><img src="/files/_default/11977559/Sarah-Jade-Champagne_2023-08-11_6353.webp" alt="" /><figcaption>Photo : Sarah-Jade Champagne</figcaption></figure><p dir="ltr">In the semis, the World No. 1 faced Pegula in their eighth career head-to-head, with the American coming out on top in a tense three-setter after recovering from a break down in the final set. On Championship Sunday, eventual finalist Liudmila Samsonova and Rybakina once again had to play a rain delayed match – this time with the added challenge of knowing the winner would have to play the final against Pegula a few hours later.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It was Samsonova, ultimately, who was able to find her range despite a challenging schedule throughout the week, knocking out an exhausted Rybakina to reach her maiden WTA 1000 final. She didn’t have much left in the tank for the final, unfortunately, but can be proud of her efforts this week – as can World No. 3 Pegula, who leaves Montreal with her second trophy at this level and all the momentum she could have hoped for going into the US Open in a few weeks time.</p><figure><img src="/files/_default/12008857/Pascal-Ratthe_2023-08-13_7316.webp" alt="" /></figure><p dir="ltr"><br /></p>

Peroni

NBO Results

Peroni Nastro Azzuro Refresh: Recap of the 2023 National Bank Open

<p>The 19-year-old Gauff had been unquestionably the best player on the WTA since Wimbledon, going 17-1 heading into the championship match in New York. Over the past two months, she captured a 500-level title in Washington D.C. and then the 1000 event in Cincinnati before her stirring run to the title this past week at the US Open.  </p>
<p>Not satisfied with how her game was trending earlier this year, Gauff made changes to her team, adding Pere Riba to her coaching staff just before Wimbledon and then the legendary Brad Gilbert right after The Championships. The impact was immediate and Gauff’s confidence skyrocketed to match her already impressive array of skill on the court.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/A1XTRVmDXlU" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<p>The draw posed challenges to Gauff, as she had talented teenager Mirra Andreeva in her section of the draw along with what many expected would be a quarter-final encounter with World No. 1 Iga Swiatek awaiting her.  </p>
<p>Gauff dealt with a couple of early-round challenges including a match against former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the round of sixteen before settling in and finding another level. Rather than Swiatek, it was big-hitting Jelena Ostapenko who awaited her in the quarters and Gauff dispatched her with ease 6-0, 6-2.  </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/rivard-going-distance-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Going the distance in 2023 </a></strong></p>
<p>In the final, World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka was Gauff’s final obstacle and the two put on a terrific show for the crowd. In their first career meeting in a major, the two brought their best. It was a great contrast in styles between Gauff’s athleticism and speed against Sabalenka’s powerful serve and groundstrokes.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/F5JpqGFxuoY" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<p>The pair traded early breaks in the first set but it was mostly one-way traffic for Sabalenka who seemed more at ease out of the gate, taking the first set relatively quickly by a score of 6-2.  </p>
<p>In the second set, Sabalenka started strong and gained two break point chances on Gauff’s serve at 15-40, but the American managed to secure the important hold. Gauff was now making her opponent hit more shots and her court coverage was also improving.  </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/aryna-sabalenka-captures-australian-open-for-first-major-title" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aryna Sabalenka Captures Maiden Grand Slam Title at Australian Open</a></strong></p>
<p>Sabalenka waivered on her own serve and double-faulted to give Gauff an important break and a 3-1 lead. The crowd suddenly came alive and it was no surprise that they were inspired by the suddenly improving play from the 19-year-old American. Gauff took the second set to their delight 6-3.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wgTaoJdId6s" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<p>The opening game of the final set saw Gauff cover the court in a way that only she can. She finished it off with an explosive overhead smash after reaching a drop shot from Sabalenka for a quick break of serve.  <br /></p>
<p>The forehand errors started to pile up for Sabalenka and Gauff broke once more for a 3-0 lead. There was no looking back from there and the American captured the first Slam of her young career 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. </p>
<h3>Rest of the Field </h3>
<p>Iga Swiatek went out in the round of sixteen to the enigmatic Jelena Ostapenko who had everything clicking in a 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory, losing her No. 1 ranking in the process. It brings the Latvian’s record to a perfect 4-0 in their career head-to-head and perhaps offers a bit of a glimpse into how to beat the often-unbeatable Swiatek.  </p>
<p>How about the Grand Slam return of former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki? After retiring from the game in January 2020 after the Aussie Open, she <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/wozniacki-brings-sunshine-back-montreal-dominant-win" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">returned earlier this summer at the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montreal</a> and had only two tournaments under her belt heading into New York.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Y9YXWrcyFOY" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<p>She upset 11th seed Petra Kvitova in the second round and pushed eventual champ Coco Gauff to three sets in their fourth-round encounter. </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/rivard-paris-2024-all-eyes-denmark" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">All eyes on Denmark for Paris 2024</a></strong></p>
<p>Other notable results include the ever-rising Qinwen Zheng who made the first Major quarter-final of her career and took out fifth-seeded Ons Jabeur in the process. Karolina Muchova also continued her excellent form in 2023 by making the semifinals before falling to Gauff in <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/gauff-caps-dream-week-breakthrough-cincinnati" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a rematch of their final in Cincinnati</a>.  </p>
<h3>Canadian Content </h3>
<p>In the singles draw, it was not easy for Canadian tennis players. Bianca Andreescu couldn’t play as she continues to recover from her latest injury, a small fracture in her back. That left Leylah Annie Fernandez and Rebecca Marino as the lone entries and <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/us-open-2023-tuesday-round-one-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neither unfortunately was able to make it past the opening round</a>.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6tC6DK0lMqs" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<p>Fernandez had her hands full when her name was placed next to 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, who defeated her in three sets.  </p>
<p>Marino was also in tough against Patricia Maria Tig who beat her in two tiebreaks.  </p>
<h3>Women’s Doubles </h3>
<p>In a tournament devoid of singles accomplishments to boast of on the Canadian side, Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe gave the country plenty to celebrate in doubles.  </p>
<p>The 16th seeded tandem had only played a couple of summer events together but caught fire at Flushing Meadows where <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/dabrowski-wins-historic-womens-doubles-title-at-us-open/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">they defeated Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva 7-6(9), 6-3 to claim the title</a>. It was a first career women’s doubles major championship for the two.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fFWqvnJHHnU" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<p>Both players spoke glowingly about one another after the victory with Routliffe saying, “Thanks to Gaby for playing with me. She really took a chance on me and I really appreciate her and love her for it.”  </p>
<p>Dabrowski replied with equally kind comments saying, “First and foremost, thank you to Erin. You took a chance on me too. It’s been a tough year for us both and I’m really, really proud of the way we’ve stuck with each other through thick and thin.” </p>
<p>The pair take home $700,000 US for the win which is the biggest payday either player has received in their professional careers and a big boost for the two very deserving champions.  </p>

Coco Gauff’s Dream Comes True at US Open

<p>Before the phenomenal emergence of teen sensation Holger Rune, the longest winning streak by a Danish player belonged Kenneth Carlsson, who lost in the third round at the 1996 Atlanta Games. On the women’s side, Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki got as far as the quarters in London in 2012.</p>
<p>Seeing as Scandinavia’s smallest country hasn’t produced very many tennis stars, the nation’s Olympic dreams are very few and very far between.  </p>
<p>Caroline Wozniacki recently <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/wozniacki-brings-sunshine-back-montreal-dominant-win" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">made a comeback from a three-year absence</a> right here in Montréal. The current No.632 is definitely playing at a higher level than her ranking but still needs to find her bearings to really challenge the world elite. </p>
<p>  </p>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;width:752px;max-width:752px;"><img src="/files/news/_default/12022153/Wozniacki-gagne-Mtl-2023-Mathieu-Bélanger-TC.webp" width="752" height="553" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Mathieu Bélanger/Tennis Canada</figcaption></figure><p>But there’s more to her drive to get back to world-class tennis after children, since she’s also thinking about the Olympic title.</p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/comeback-family-affair-wozniacki" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Comeback is a Family Affair for Wozniacki</a></strong></p>
<p>And now that a fellow Dane is in the ATP Top 10, it’s within reach. </p>
<p>“I practiced with him in Monaco, we were both there and it was awesome,” Wozniacki said last week in Cincinnati. “I mean, he hits such a clean ball. I would love to be on the same side of the net with him as well. Obviously, the Olympics would be awesome to play and mixed doubles with him would be a big goal. But we'll see how everything shakes up.” </p>
<p> </p>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;width:769px;max-width:769px;"><img src="/files/news/_default/12022148/Rune-Cincinnati-2023-WS-Open.webp" width="769" height="586" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : W&amp;S Open</figcaption></figure><p>When asked about the Olympics <a href="https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/great-danes-holger-rune-caroline-wozniacki-hit-practice-courts-ahead-of-comeback" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in a recent interview</a>, Rune was on board. “I was so happy when she said that. That could be very, very fun,” he said.</p>
<p>After a brilliant win at the NBO, Wozniacki had a less-than-stellar start to the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati, losing in the opening round.<br /></p>
<p>  </p>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;width:763px;max-width:763px;"><img src="/files/news/_default/12022154/Wozniacki-Montréal-2023-Mathieu-Bélanger-TC.webp" width="763" height="550" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Mathieu Bélanger/Tennis Canada</figcaption></figure><p>Her next stop is the US Open, where she’d love to do well. Still, she’s realistic. It’s difficult to aspire to huge success after such a long hiatus.</p>
<p>Achievements like Kim Clijsters’ don’t happen often in a generation. In 2019, after two years and four months away, she’d competed in only seven matches at two tournaments when she surprised the world by winning the title in the Big Apple, dropping only two sets in the process.  </p>
<p> </p>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;width:775px;max-width:775px;"><img src="/files/news/_default/12022147/Paris-anneaux-J.O.-AFP.webp" width="775" height="439" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : AFP</figcaption></figure><p>We’ll know by next summer if Denmark <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/olympic-tennis-primer-everything-you-need-to-know-about-paris-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">can send its players to the tennis event</a>, but both Wozniacki and Rune are expected to be in action.<br /></p>

<p>As far as the other potential members of the Danish delegation, you’ll have to keep your fingers crossed. No. 92 Clara Tauson, 2018 National Bank Canadian Junior Open champion, has yet to fulfil the tremendous expectations placed upon her. The next in line are No. 384 Johanne Svendsen (No. 701 in doubles) and No. 465 Olga Helmi (No. 627 in doubles).  </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/gauff-caps-dream-week-breakthrough-cincinnati" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gauff Caps Dream Week with Breakthrough in Cincinnati</a></strong></p>
<p>On the men’s side, the Danes will be looking to No. 404 August Holmgren (No. 308 in doubles).  </p>
<p>Denmark’s highest-ranked player in men’s doubles is No. 204 Holger Rune. </p>
<p> </p>
<h3>The Wimbledon champ eyes the WTA Finals  </h3>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="/files/news/_default/12022150/Vondrousova-Cincinnati-2023-Jimmie48-WTA.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Jimmie48/WTA</figcaption></figure><p>Newly-minted <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/marketa-vondrousova-triumphs-wimbledon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova</a> has her eye on the WTA Finals.</p>
<p>Fueled by the confidence she gained in London, Montréal (two matches) and Cincinnati (three matches), she continues to climb in the rankings. In two and a half months, she’s risen from No.103 to No.9.   </p>
<p>Between now and the end of the season, she has very few points to defend since just a year ago she was still recovering from an injury that kept her out of the game until October 2022. When she returned, she went on to win a W100 event in England, one of the three tournaments she entered. </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/rivard-going-distance-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Going the distance in 2023 </a></strong></p>
<p>But beyond the rankings, it’s the race for the year-end WTA Finals that’s key.  </p>
<p>Going into the US Open, she’s no.5 in line and aims to be among the eight players selected for the showdown in Shenzhen. A lot can happen between now and then, but when a player starts feeling really confident, great things can happen. And keep on happening. </p>
<p>She remembers the feeling of reaching her first Grand Slam final in 2019 at Roland-Garros, which she lost to Ash Barty. </p>
<p> </p>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="/files/news/_default/12022149/Vondrousova-Barty-RG-2019.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : AFP</figcaption></figure><p>"After that final, I was feeling down," Marketa told <em>WTA Insider</em>. “I expected it to go smoothly, that I would be a top player. That never happens. You have to keep working, you have to stay focused. After Wimbledon, I had a week off and then I practiced again. I never felt unmotivated. That was a good thing to have.”</p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/pegula-finally-gets-her-hands-montreal-trophy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pegula Finally Gets Her Hands on Montreal Trophy</a></strong></p>
<p>And so is health. Vondrousova’s come a long way and knows the importance and the satisfaction of competing injury-free. </p>
<p>“I’m just very grateful to be healthy. I played every tournament that I could this year and that's amazing.” </p>
<p> </p>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;width:646px;max-width:646px;"><img src="/files/news/_default/12022151/Vondrousova-Wimbledon-2023-Getty.webp" width="646" height="431" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Getty</figcaption></figure><p><br /></p>

Paul Rivard Blog

Rivard: Paris 2024 - All eyes on Denmark 

<h3>On Court Action </h3>
<p>World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz must be feeling pretty good having just made the finals in Cincinnati, contesting <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/djokovic-outlasts-alcaraz-thriller-cincinnati-title" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an epic match against Novak Djokovic</a> where he held a championship point in the second-set tiebreak. Alcaraz will be heading into a major as the defending champ for the first time in his career so we’ll see how he handles that new-found pressure.  </p>
<p>Alcaraz is the only man to have <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/alcaraz-grinds-victory-toronto-debut" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">made the quarter-finals or better in both Toronto</a> and Cincinnati which is unsurprising given the consistent nature of his game this year and his 53-6 record.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Fgy8tjrKy1Y" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>No. 2 Novak Djokovic didn’t show any signs of rust following a break to recover from fatigue post-Wimbledon. After skipping the Canadian Masters 1000, he took home his third title in Cincinnati against Alcaraz in a match that he called one of the greatest of his career. Djokovic has never <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/remembering-novak-djokovics-2011-wimbledon-canada-us-open-sweep" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">won the US Open without having first played in Canada</a>, but at the age of 36 he’s not taking any chances with his physical preparation for the Majors.  </p>
<p>Beyond these two titans, World No. 6 Jannik Sinner has had a solid summer, <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-atp-de-la-journee/2023/cashmere-wrap-sinner-winner-first-masters-1000-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">capturing the first Masters 1000 title of his career recently in Toronto</a> at the National Bank Open.  </p>
<p>Daniil Medvedev won his only Slam to date in New York in 2021 but hasn’t been his usual lethal self this summer, with just a 3-2 record in the big hardcourt events.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bhrNL4gJ3ds" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Other top ten stalwarts such as Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune and Andrey Rublev have all lost their A-games in recent events but could a return to the bright lights and big noise of New York City be exactly what they need to return to their best?  </p>
<h3>Stories to Watch  </h3>
<p>This week <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/monday-digest-fernandez-getting-final-us-open-prep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">there’s but one tournament to lead up to the US Open</a> and that’s the ATP 250 tournament in Winston-Salem. Usually, this event is contested by players who have yet to hit their stride in the summer hard-court swing or those who have delayed switching to the surface until the last minute.  </p>
<p>For this year’s instalment, Borna Coric comes in as the No. 1 seed. Tallon Griekspoor and Seb Korda are the only other two top-30 players joining Coric in the draw. </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/sinner-finally-breaks-through-biggest-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sinner Finally Breaks Through for Biggest Title in Toronto</a></strong></p>
<p>In terms of stories to watch when the US Open hits, is there any bigger in the men’s game at the moment than the fight for the No. 1 ranking?  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fXbcb77Bcu4" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>The top spot is once again up for grabs between current top dog Carlos Alcaraz and the ATP’s all-time leading man Novak Djokovic. After Djokovic’s triumph in Cincy, there is just 20 points between them. With Alcaraz needing to defend his maiden Slam title from a year ago, it seems very likely that Djokovic will reclaim the top spot by the end of the tournament.  </p>
<p>No matter who occupies the top position, it’s pretty fair to say that these two men stand quite a distance apart from the rest of the pack in 2023. Djokovic has two Majors this year with his <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/djokovic-triumphs-again-in-australia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10th Aussie Open triumph</a> and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/novak-djokovic-grabs-slam-no-23-roland-garros" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">third Roland-Garros</a> as well as last week’s 39th career Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati.  </p>
<p>Alcaraz has big titles with the Masters 1000 events in <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/carlos-alcaraz-returns-to-no-1-with-victory-in-indian-wells" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indian Wells</a> and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/king-carlos-continues-clay-court-dominance-in-madrid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Madrid</a> and his very first win at Wimbledon as well.  </p>
<p>The two seem poised for the fifth instalment of their very gripping rivalry when the men head to New York next week.  </p>
<h3>Off Court Buzz </h3>
<p>Canada’s Denis Shapovalov will not be taking to the court at Flushing Meadows as the knee injury he has been dealing with going back to the clay court season is still requiring time to properly heal. Shapovalov mentioned openly in his post-Wimbledon press conference that he might need to take a couple of months off to properly deal with the injury and subsequently withdrew from both his hometown tournament in Toronto as well as the following Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aDX9wsMl4Xo" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Recently he shared on social media with his fans that he will also have to miss the US Open, a place where he made the quarter-finals in 2020, the best showing of his six attempts there.  </p>
<p>Shapovalov, therefore, finishes 2023 with a 7-3 record at the Majors this year, failing to make the final eight at any of his appearances at those events for the first time since 2019.  </p>

Inside the Lines

Inside the Lines: Djokovic, Alcaraz a Cut Above Heading Into US Open

<p>While winning the final against Muchova was what sealed the deal for Gauff, her most impressive accomplishment all week was undoubtedly her semifinal win over World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who she defeated for the first time in eight tries by a score of 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4. That win in particular seems to have had an impact on how Gauff views herself as a top player on the WTA, given her post-match comments with the press.</p>
<p>“I'm really trying to cut this down as much as possible. So hopefully I can face her again and get the numbers up. But it feels really good. It wasn't necessarily like her as a player. I think it was just the moment playing players like her. I think it gives me confidence that I have the ability. I mean, she's <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/iga-swiatek-annointed-queen-clay-roland-garros" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a four-time Grand Slam champion</a>, No. 1. It shows that I can be at that level or compete with that level at least.”</p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5jX5If0r1H8" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>For her part, it was also a big week for Muchova who has now entered the Top Ten of the WTA for the first time in her career. After battling through injuries in recent years, a healthy Muchova has shown what she is capable of in 2023, having made the finals of Roland-Garros and carrying that fine form on hard courts as well. </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/rivard-going-distance-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Going the distance in 2023 </a></strong></p>
<p>In the final, Muchova had little left in the tank from a physical perspective and admitted after the match that the first word that came to mind that morning when she woke up was, “ouch!”</p>
<p>After her semifinal win over Aryna Sabalenka, you could tell that Muchova was feeling the effects when she shared that, “It's tough. It's tough. I can feel it in my bones that I played all three-setters. Just yesterday I had a little time off. Obviously, my body feels it.”</p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fuaIC7nNJdA" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>She fought back from being down 2-5 in the second set to earn back one break, but Gauff held at love in the final game to get across the finish line. </p>
<p>Gauff was the more solid player in the one-hour, 56-minute championship match as she won 71 per cent of her first serves and hit 16 winners to 16 unforced errors. Muchova for her part won just 54 per cent of her first serve points and had 20 winners to 35 unforced errors. </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/rivard-a-record-piece-cake" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A record and a piece of cake</a></strong></p>
<p>We should mention one important addition to Gauff’s arsenal this summer with the arrival of respected veteran coach Brad Gilbert to her team. He’s been on board for both recent tournament victories and is a former Cincinnati winner himself going back to 1989 when he beat Stefan Edberg for the title. </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_d27p4wk9Cc" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Still only 19 years old and with four of her five career titles coming on hard courts, Gauff has definitely positioned herself among the favourites at the US Open where you know the American crowd will be right behind her. </p>
<h3>Rest of the Field</h3>
<p>Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will undoubtedly be among the favourites as well when the US Open approaches in a week, despite the fact that they fell just short of making the final in Cincinnati. </p>
<p>Swiatek was lethal in the opening rounds this past week where she trounced Danielle Collins 6-1, 6-0 in a match that had little resemblance to <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/wta-montreal-live-blog-packed-quarter-final-friday-national-bank-open" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">their close encounter recently in Montreal</a>. She then dispatched talented rising star Qinwen Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 followed by a win against Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 7-6(3), 6-1. </p>
<p>Swiatek has failed to make the final at any of the big hard-court events so far in 2023 but has been in the semis of Indian Wells and Montreal.</p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PyLr8sePUwc" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Sabalenka has also been playing well lately and had straight-set victories over tough opponents like Daria Kasatkina and Ons Jabeur before being stopped by Muchova. </p>
<p>Some players in Cincinnati were definitely feeling <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/pegula-finally-gets-her-hands-montreal-trophy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the effects of the grueling schedule in Montreal</a> the week before, as semifinalist at the OBN Elena Rybakina had to withdraw while up a set but trailing in the second against Jasmin Paolini in the sound of 16 and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/jessica-pegula-crowned-champion-national-bank-open-presented-rogers-montreal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jessica Pegula, the champ in Canada</a>, fell 6-4, 6-0 at the hands of Marie Bouzkova. </p>
<h3>Canadian Content</h3>
<p>There wasn’t much in terms of a Canadian presence in Cincinnati this year. Bianca Andreescu was recovering from a small stress fracture in her back while Leylah Annie Fernandez and Rebecca Marino both fell in qualifying. </p>
<h3>Doubles </h3>
<p>Gaby Dabrowski played her second consecutive tournament with Erin Routliffe in what seems like an emerging partnership in women’s doubles. The duo fell in the round of 16. </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zovGAuHjkeM" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>In the final, the all-American tandem of Taylor Townsend and Alycia Parks captured the title with a 6-7(1), 6-4, 10-6 win over third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Ellen Perez. The pair had themselves quite a week in Cincinnati where they knocked off the second, third, fourth and fifth seeds en route to the championship. </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/djokovic-outlasts-alcaraz-thriller-cincinnati-title" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Djokovic Outlasts Alcaraz in Thriller for Cincinnati Title</a></strong></p>
<p>The 22-year-old Parks has one of the hardest serves in women’s tennis and has been finding success in recent times both in singles, where she is now Top 30 in the world, and in doubles as well where she is on the cusp of the top 40 of the rankings. </p>
<p>Townsend should be a familiar name for Canadian tennis fans as she often teams up with Leylah Annie Fernandez. She was also a regular contributor on Tennis Channel broadcasts during the time she off the tour on maternity leave. </p>

Gauff Caps Dream Week with Breakthrough in Cincinnati

<p>It was the final that most tennis fans hope for in any big tournament – <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/carlos-alcaraz-captures-first-wimbledon-title" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the World No. 1 and No. 2 going head-to-head for the title</a>. That’s exactly what they got in Cincinnati this year as both players navigated their way to their fourth career meeting. It did not disappoint. </p>
<p>The match hardly resembled the makings of an epic in the early goings. While Djokovic had an early break in the opening set, it was Alcaraz who began finding his range more consistently as he broke back and then took the lead late in the set which he grabbed 7-5. Djokovic was struggling mightily under the hot conditions that felt like 40 degrees Celsius down on the court.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Fgy8tjrKy1Y" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Early in the second set, Djokovic threw in three consecutive double faults while serving at 1-1 and Alcaraz didn’t hesitate to take advantage and grab the break of serve. The trainers and medical staff came out to visit Djokovic on the next changeover as he seemed to be dealing with heat exhaustion. </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/sinner-finally-breaks-through-biggest-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sinner Finally Breaks Through for Biggest Title in Toronto</a></strong></p>
<p>Just when you thought the match was going to be a relatively routine victory for the 20-year-old Alcaraz, Djokovic came alive and broke to tie things up at four games apiece. For what seemed like the first time in the match, the Serbian was starting to take control of the points and as the sun started to set, he appeared much fresher than before.</p>
<p>Djokovic saved a match point in a second set tiebreak and hung on to take the set after an Alcaraz backhand went into the net. The match was two hours and nine minutes old at this point, but far from over.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rmds5EJyRgU" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>The third set was an instant classic unto itself. Djokovic would break to go up 4-3 and then both when he returned at 3-5 and when he served at 5-4, the Serb had championship points in both games. The two opponents were routinely producing points that would be in contention for rally of the year and the fact Alcaraz could do that while down championship points was all the more impressive. He truly seemed like an escape artist in the third set, until eventually he ran out of magic tricks. </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/alcaraz-grinds-victory-toronto-debut" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alcaraz Grinds to Victory in Toronto Debut</a></strong></p>
<p>Alcaraz found a way to draw even in the late stages of the third set and would force a final set tiebreak. With his hand cramping and the mental pressure perhaps reaching a critical point, Alcaraz had nothing left to give however and Djokovic finally converted on his fifth championship point, falling backwards in disbelief that the match was over after a grueling three hours and 49 minutes. The final scoreline was 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) Djokovic. It was the longest match in tournament history.</p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lzlZlSPhpkg" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>While accepting his trophy after the match, Djokovic summed things up as follows: </p>
<p>“Crazy. Honestly, I don’t know what else I can say. Tough to describe. Definitely one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played in my life, regardless of what tournament, what category, what level, what player. It’s unbelievable from the beginning to the end. We’ve both been through so many ups and downs, highs and lows, incredible points, poor games, you know, heat stroke, coming back, just overall one of the toughest and most exciting matches I was ever a part of.”</p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/successful-inaugural-vr-tournament-is-a-sign-of-things-to-come/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Successful Inaugural VR Tournament a Sign of Things to Come</a></strong></p>
<p>Djokovic is just 20 points behind Alcaraz now in the race for the ATP No. 1 ranking heading into the US Open next week. </p>
<h3>Rest of the Field</h3>
<p>After the week of their careers in Toronto at the National Bank Open, <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-atp-de-la-journee/2023/cashmere-wrap-sinner-winner-first-masters-1000-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jannik Sinner</a> and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/de-minaur-continues-roll-national-bank-open-final" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alex de Minaur</a> crashed out early in Cincinnati. It just goes to show how grueling the Masters 1000 events are where you’re playing every single day and in hot North American summer conditions too. </p>
<p>While fans were treated to the ultimate final between the world’s top two players, others in the Top Ten weren’t so fortunate. For many players who were looking to establish their games and boost their confidence ahead of the US Open, Cincinnati wasn’t the place to do it.</p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DdIdmDuADmg" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Here are some of the results at the back-to-back Masters 1000 hard court events for some players that would be considered contenders for the final Slam of 2023. </p>




<ul><li>Daniil Medvedev 3-2</li><li>Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-2</li><li>Holger Rune 0-2</li><li>Casper Ruud 1-2</li><li>Andrey Rublev 0-2 </li></ul><p>The above top-ten players have a combined total of five victories between them in both events and have taken a big hit in terms of contender status for Flushing Meadows. </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/remembering-novak-djokovics-2011-wimbledon-canada-us-open-sweep" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Remembering Novak Djokovic’s 2011 Wimbledon-Canada-US Open Sweep</a></strong></p>
<h3>Canadian Content</h3>
<p>It was a small step forward for Felix Auger-Aliassime who got a big win in his opening-round match against former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. He was then unable to build off that victory, as he was defeated by his doubles partner Adrian Mannarino in the next round 6-4, 6-4. </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XajbEgYvJKg" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Felix will be taking a 1-3 summer hardcourt record into the US Open in New York, a tournament where he had his best-ever Grand Slam showing by reaching the semifinals back in 2021. </p>
<h3>Doubles </h3>
<p>The doubles title was taken by the all-Argentinian duo of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni, who defeated Jamie Murray and Michael Venus 3-6, 6-1, [11-9]. It was a final contested between two unseeded teams and Gonzalez and Molteni showed they could handle the pressure of a third-set match tiebreak. In the semis, the pair took the final set breaker 15-13 against the No. 2 seeds Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek. </p>
<p>Earlier in the doubles draw, Felix Auger-Aliassime and his partner Adrian Mannarino were defeated by seventh seeds Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz 6-1, 6-4.  </p>

Djokovic Outlasts Alcaraz in Thriller for Cincinnati Title

<h3>On-Court Action </h3>
<p>One thing we already know at the mid-week point is that the success we saw players like <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-atp-de-la-journee/2023/cashmere-wrap-sinner-winner-first-masters-1000-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jannik Sinner</a> and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/de-minaur-continues-roll-national-bank-open-final" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alex de Minaur</a> enjoy in Toronto is not something that will repeat itself this time around. Both players, likely tired from their great run in Canada, bowed-out early in Cincy with Sinner falling to Dusan Lajovic and de Minaur being taken down by the resurgent Gael Monfils.  </p>
<p>Who should we keep an eye on as the draw progresses then? Well for starters, how about World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pv48JQU2W0A" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>While the Spaniard brought plenty of buzz with him <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/alcaraz-grinds-victory-toronto-debut" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in his Toronto debut</a>, his tournament ended in <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/paul-stuns-alcaraz-canada-second-straight-year" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the quarter-finals with a loss to Tommy Paul</a>. Fast forward to this week in Cincinnati and Alcaraz once again will have to contend with the American, who holds a career 2-1 head-to-head advantage against him.   </p>
<p>By the time you read this, perhaps Alcaraz will have figured out a way to get past Paul, who admitted after their most recent encounter that, “I like playing anyone that's a big challenge. He's obviously right now the best player in the world. And when you have those matchups on Center Court - you're always going to be on Center Court when you're playing No. 1 in the world - I really enjoy playing those matches.” </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/sinner-finally-breaks-through-biggest-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sinner Finally Breaks Through for Biggest Title in Toronto</a></strong></p>
<p>Novak Djokovic has had a successful return to the hard courts with an opening victory against NBO Semifinalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina who retired after Djokovic took the first set 6-4. Djokovic has won in this event twice before, most recently in his last appearance there in 2020 against Canada’s Milos Raonic.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/s3UjVyrvf7U" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Contrary to how things played out in Toronto, the top four seeds have all advanced to the round of sixteen, though there have been some upsets early as well. Fifth seed Casper Ruud’s struggles so far on hard courts have continued as he exited in his first match in Cincinnati at the hands of Max Purcell 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Purcell has had some great results so far this summer and is playing well above his current rank of No. 70.  </p>
<p>Andrey Rublev has also seen some tough times, as the No. 7 seed lost early once again, this time versus Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 7-6(10), 5-7, 7-6(3).  </p>
<h3>Stories to Watch  </h3>
<p>The biggest story to watch this week in Cincy has got to be the return of Novak Djokovic. The recent Wimbledon finalist chose to skip the National Bank Open in Toronto due to fatigue and will try to get his hard-court game clicking in time to compete for a staggering 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open in a couple of weeks.  </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1MGbmgN3mcI" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Will one tournament be enough preparation for him as he heads to Flushing Meadows? In all three of Djokovic’s previous US Open wins, he had played both the Canadian Masters 1000 and Cincinnati in the lead-up.  </p>
<p>This year he is clearly banking on the one event to be sufficient and perhaps now that he’s older, this is the right way to go about it.  </p>
<h3>Off Court Buzz </h3>
<p>Canada’s Davis Cup title defense will commence in just a few week’s time. The 2023 squad appears as though it will have a different look from a year ago however when they return to the court September 12-17th.  </p>
<p>When <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/denis-shapovalov-vasek-pospisil-gabriel-diallo-and-alexis-galarneau-will-represent-canada-at-davis-cup-finals-group-stage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the roster was initially announced</a>, Felix Auger-Aliassime’s name was not included on the list. As he is already committed to playing the Laver Cup in Vancouver from September 22-24, it is understandable why the Davis Cup is unlikely for Felix. This Fall, the current World No. 14 will have three tournaments to defend champion points at, including Florence, Antwerp and Basel. </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7Fueg1Gk5oM" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Denis Shapovalov is on the roster, but has just announced his withdrawal from the US Open later this month as he continues to rehab his own knee injury. Despite reaching the round of sixteen at Wimbledon, Shapo was hampered in his mobility by the knee and admitted he likely needed a couple of months away from competition following his exit on the grass there.  </p>
<p>The Canadian Davis Cup responsibilities will likely fall to two emerging faces on the national team in Alexis Galarneau and Gabriel Diallo, with veteran Vasek Pospisil hopefully healthy enough to help guide them through the experience as well.  </p>
<p>The 24-year-old Galarneau recently won the first ATP Challenger tournament of his career in Granby, while 21-year-old Diallo captured <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/diallo-scores-first-atp-tour-win-in-toronto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the first ATP match win of his young career</a> in Toronto at the National Bank Open. The duo were part of the 2022 Davis Cup squad that was honoured at the NBO with a special ceremony where they received their championship rings from their role a year ago. This time it appears they will very much be in the limelight when Canada takes to the court in Bologna against Chile, Italy and Sweden.  </p>

Inside the Lines: We’re On to Cincinnati

<p>Aside from the less-than-glamorous aspects of matches that conclude in the dead of night and which often upset the players’ form and tournament outcomes, there are the stats. And they tend to be dramatic.</p>
<p>In the case at hand, Rybakina vs. Kasatkina is the longest match—and the latest—in the history of the NBO in Montréal, clocking in at 3 hours and 27 minutes.  </p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/OBNmontreal/status/1690259963145265152?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elena walked off Centre Court</a> with her hard-earned victory (5-7, 7-5, 7-6(8)) at 2:55 a.m. on Saturday, August 12. There were still dozens of night owls in the stadium.  </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2023/peroni-nastro-azzuro-refresh-recap-2023-national-bank-open" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Recap of the 2023 National Bank Open</a></strong></p>
<p>But the record-breaking confrontation is only the tenth longest match—not in the history of women’s tennis but this season! Still that in no way diminishes our admiration for these formidably grueling drawn-out clashes.<br /></p>
<p>The WTA was quick to compile a list of the three-hour-plus matches of 2023. All 53 of them. </p>
<p>  </p>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;width:564px;max-width:564px;"><img src="/files/news/_default/12021455/Haddad-Maia-R-G-2023-Getty.webp" width="564" height="434" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Getty</figcaption></figure><p>Curiously, the longest two involve the same player: Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil. She lost in 3 hours and 41 minutes in Rome and won in 3 hours and 51 minutes at Roland-Garros.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.wtatennis.com/photos/3013223/marathon-marvels-2023-all-this-year-s-three-hour-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here’s the list on the WTA website</a>.</p>
<p>In case you’re wondering, those two showdowns are still very, very far from the all-time record.<br /></p>
<p>In 1984, Vicki Nelson and Jean Hepner went head-to-head for 6 hours and 31 minutes. I wrote about their match in <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/rivard-rallying-for-real/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my first blog of the season right here</a>.</p>
<h3>American tennis turns up the heat <br /><br /></h3>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="/files/news/_default/12021451/Vanity-Fair-Danielle-Collins.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Dana Scruggs/Vanity Fair</figcaption></figure><p>When you think of Danielle Collins, that’s probably not the image you’re used to seeing.</p>
<p>And that’s what Vanity Fair presumably had in mind when it came up with the idea of a glam photoshoot with the biggest stars in US tennis.  </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/jessica-pegula-crowned-champion-national-bank-open-presented-rogers-montreal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jessica Pegula Crowned Champion of the National Bank Open</a></strong></p>
<p>And the result is quite striking. </p>
<p>The American contingents in the WTA and ATP top 100s are impressive: 16 women and 11 men. The highest ranking of them all is the pride of Buffalo and newly crowned NBO champion Jessica Pegula, World No.3 in singles and No.5 in doubles.  </p>
<p> </p>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="/files/news/_default/12021453/Vanity-Fair-Jessica-Pegula.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Dana Scruggs/Vanity Fair</figcaption></figure><p>Joining Jessica and Danielle are Madison Keys, Alycia Parks, Shelby Rogers and Claire Liu. There’s also Sebastian Korda, Maxime Cressy, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Mackenzie McDonald, Michael Mmoh and Francis Tiafoe.</p>
<p><strong>Lire aussi : <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/pegula-finally-gets-her-hands-montreal-trophy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pegula Finally Gets Her Hands on Montreal Trophy</a></strong></p>
<p>To get the word out on this special edition released ahead of the US Open, the magazine shared some shots and some copy that’s as patriotic as it is inspiring. </p>
<p> </p>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;width:479px;max-width:479px;"><img src="/files/news/_default/12021454/Vanity-Fair-Madison-Keys.webp" alt="" width="479" height="442" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Dana Scruggs/Vanity Fair</figcaption></figure><p>Here’s an excerpt:</p>
<p>Frances Tiafoe. Jessie Pegula. Madison Keys. Tommy Paul. The current field of American pro tennis players is the most exciting, talented, and varied we’ve seen in decades—men and women alike.  </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/paul-stuns-alcaraz-canada-second-straight-year" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paul Stuns Alcaraz in Canada for the Second Straight Year</a></strong></p>
<p>This new crop’s swagger makes them stand out: their feeling that American tennis history is just that—history—and their determination to write themselves into it. They’re alchemists, blending the best of what has come before and sloughing off weighty expectations that have burdened past generations. They’re activists, leading the conversations around equality, inclusivity, and mental health that push the game to be better. And they’re inventors, making the game their own. </p>
<p> </p>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;width:534px;max-width:534px;"><img src="/files/news/_default/12021452/Vanity-Fair-Frances-Tiafoe.webp" width="534" height="314" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Dana Scrubbs</figcaption></figure><p>For the full article, find it on <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/08/american-tennis-has-never-been-hotter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Vanity Fair website</a>.</p>

Rivard: Going the distance in 2023 

<p>It was the third straight year, and fourth time in the last five editions of the tournament, to see an unseeded finalist in the event and Alex de Minaur was a very deserving continuation of that trend with his incredible play in Toronto this year. </p>
<p>In the final, he met seventh-seed Jannik Sinner who came into the match with a heavily slanted 4-0 head-to-head advantage over his Australian opponent. Sinner was the more consistent player between the two on Sunday and handled the wind and the pressure of the moment without ever wavering. He <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-atp-de-la-journee/2023/cashmere-wrap-sinner-winner-first-masters-1000-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">took the match 6-4, 6-1 for the first Masters 1000 title</a> of his young career. </p>
<p>After the match he shared what was different about this final, compared to the two previous 1000-level finals he had contested. </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YLZUFP2bkoE" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>“I think, as I said before the final, finals are a little bit different. And when you play for such an important trophy, when you get used to it a little bit before - on your feelings before the match and also during the match, trying to stay quiet, calm mentally. And I think everything together today I was doing better than in the previous two finals in the Masters series. I was very focused about my game, what I had to do, and I felt like I was executing it in the right way. So I'm very happy.</p>
<p>The Italian, at 21 years of age, is the youngest winner of the NBO since Alexander Zverev, who was 20 when he won the event in Montreal back in 2017. He had to overcome Matteo Berrettini, Gael Monfils, Tommy Paul and then de Minaur to take home the trophy. He moves up to a career-best No. 6 in the ATP rankings with the victory. </p>
<h3>Rest of the Field</h3>
<p>The Toronto draw was one filled with upsets with top seeds such as Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas going out early. Unseeded players like Mackenzie McDonald, <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/monfils-recapturing-his-canadian-magic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gael Monfils</a> and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina all had terrific showings. </p>
<p>It was a second career Masters 1000 semifinal for the highly underrated Davidovich Fokina who had played great all week until the wind got the better of him in <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/de-minaur-continues-roll-national-bank-open-final" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">his semifinal match against de Minaur</a>. </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fVT7V-zBQ4A" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>There were several matches that could have been deemed the “match of the tournament,” however the round of sixteen clash between Alcaraz and Hubert Hurkacz was definitely a strong candidate. Alcaraz dropped the opening set and then had to rely on a tiebreak in the second set to keep the match alive. The No. 1 then led 5-2 in the third set but relinquished that lead to Hurkacz who evened things up and forced yet another breaker to determine the match. </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/alex-de-minaur-shows-heart-grind-past-medvedev-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alex de Minaur Shows Heart to Grind Past Medvedev in Toronto</a></strong></p>
<p>Alcaraz, who <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/alcaraz-grinds-victory-toronto-debut" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">was making his debut in Toronto</a>, was treated to rousing applause from the local fans every time he stepped on court. </p>
<p>Speaking about the “Alcaraz Effect” after the tournament had ended, Tournament Director Karl Hale shared the following: </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/s3UjVyrvf7U" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>“He obviously loved Toronto. He really enjoyed the experience. We really looked after him. The team was tremendous. And his team is very much like Rafa’s team. They’re a family. They’re very close-knit. The buzz around him is something we’ve never seen before…it really bodes well for the future of our sport that he is taking the torch over from the Big Three.” </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/paul-stuns-alcaraz-canada-second-straight-year" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paul Stuns Alcaraz in Canada for the Second Straight Year</a></strong></p>
<p>The men’s event set a record for Toronto with over 175,000 fans descending on Sobeys Stadium throughout the week, which is partly a testament to how excited people were to catch Alcaraz and other up-and-coming ATP stars in action here for the first time. </p>
<h3>Canadian Content</h3>
<p>Who would have thought that Milos Raonic would be the last Canadian man standing in the singles draw this year in Toronto? After a nearly two-year absence from competing on the ATP due to injuries, the former World No. 3 returned to play in his hometown tournament for the first time since 2018. His welcome-home gift? A first-round encounter with ninth seed Frances Tiafoe. </p>
<p>With the top eight seeds all receiving first-round byes, this was literally the toughest player that Raonic could face. <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/raonic-overcomes-adversity-make-winning-return-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raonic took that match in three tight sets</a> and won his next round against Taro Daniel before running out of gas against Mackenzie McDonald in round three. A very respectable showing and a reminder of how good he can still be. </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cy98qywbVDo" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Another Canadian who enjoyed a good showing in Toronto was 21-year-old Gabriel Diallo who <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/diallo-scores-first-atp-tour-win-in-toronto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">won his first ever ATP level match</a> 7-6 (4), 7-5 over Dan Evans. Diallo stands an impressive 6’8’’ and says he has tried to model his game after Raonic. </p>
<p>Felix Auger-Aliassime saw his recent troubles extended as he lost for the seventh time in his last eight matches. The positive lining to this result was that Auger Aliassime at least was feeling healthy for the first time in a long while with his knee now fully healed.  </p>
<p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-atp-de-la-journee/2023/cashmere-wrap-canadas-davis-cup-title-prominent-day-one-toronto-main-draw-play" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canada's Davis Cup Title Prominent on Day One of Toronto Main Draw Play</a></strong></p>
<p>Other Canadian results included a closely contested first-round loss from Alexis Galarneau who pushed a Top 25 opponent in Francisco Cerundolo in their Centre Court encounter. Galarneau led 3-0 in the final set but nerves kicked in and Cerundolo raised his game to take the match 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. </p><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nzTQqfT7AVw" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Finally, veteran Vasek Pospisil was also defeated in the first round by qualifier Matteo Arnaldi in just his third tournament back in action after missing five months with injury.  </p>
<h3>Doubles </h3>
<p>Jean-Julien Rojer and Marcelo Arevalo were <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-atp-de-la-journee/2023/cashmere-wrap-sinner-winner-first-masters-1000-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the winners of the doubles draw</a> at the NBO in 2023. The pair displayed incredible chemistry all week long and radiated positivity on the court in their matches that helped lead them to the biggest title they’ve achieved as a team. </p>
<p>The pair were dominant in the final on Sunday, dispatching the No. 3 seeds Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury 6-3, 6-1. With the victory, they jump up from No. 21 in the ATP Doubles rankings to No. 7 which will put them in good standing for the draw at the US Open later this month. </p>

Sinner Finally Breaks Through for Biggest Title in Toronto

<p>Over the week, 219 677 fans passed through the gates in Montreal to witness the game's best play, an attendance world record for a single-week women's event.</p>
<p>Pegula had some good fortune as the last woman standing. She <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/jessica-pegula-crowned-champion-national-bank-open-presented-rogers-montreal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defeated Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-0 in the final in a match</a> that saw the effects of a tough schedule just too much to bear for her opponent.<br /></p>
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/J-tyD57ODa4" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>The rain delays forced her to play her round of 16 match against Belinda Bencic and her quarter-final match against No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka both on Friday which assuredly emptied some of the tank for Samsonova. </p>
<p>The 24-year-old had to play <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/samsonova-rallies-past-rybakina-sets-pegula-showdown-national-bank-open-title" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">her semifinal against Elena Rybakina</a> and the final against Pegula both on Sunday and with only a couple of hours between them to recharge her batteries.<strong></strong></p>
<p>For Pegula, remarkably considering her incredible consistency and Top 5 presence over the past couple of years, it is only the third singles title of her career and a second WTA 1000 title after her victory in Guadalajara in 2022. </p>
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3FwZAQV9kVM" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>As for “Cotton Eye Joe,” a song that randomly blared during the second set tiebreak of <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/pegula-stops-swiatek-three-set-thriller-reach-national-bank-open-final" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Pegula/Swiatek semifinal</a>, the DJ clearly had a sense of humour in Montreal, as he played the song once more in the immediate aftermath of Pegula’s win on Sunday in the final as well. The victory song choice did not go unnoticed by the Champion. </p>
<p>“I don't even think I heard it the whole week, and it just came on in the middle of the match at a really important point. So it was interesting. I've come to learn that I lost a lot of points consecutively after "Cotton Eye Joe" came on, so I'm glad I got over the "Cotton Eye Joe" jinx or whatever you want to call it and was able to overcome that. So today, it was just funny after I won because it was almost my downfall yesterday, but not anymore.”</p>
<h3>Rest of the Field</h3>
<p>The draw in Montreal generally saw success for the top seed. Three of the top four seeds made the semifinals while seven of the eight quarter-finalists were seeded as well. </p>
<p>The one unseeded player who made it to that stage was American Danielle Collins who now famously told Maria Sakkari to, “Shut your mouth” during a heated moment in their second-round match. Collins came through qualifying to get to the main draw and played a total of six matches in Montreal that included wins over two Canadians in Genie Bouchard and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/leylah-annie-fernandezs-special-montreal-homecoming" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leylah Annie Fernandez</a>. </p>
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rOBtCKyT3zg" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>She also defeated one of the hottest players on the WTA in recent months in Elina Svitolina as well as pushing the No. 1 player in the world Iga Swiatek to three sets in her eventual loss in the quarters. </p>
<p>In terms of the match of the tournament, one candidate had to be the quarter-final match between the 10<sup>th</sup> seed Daria Kasatkina and third-seeded Elena Rybakina that began just before 11:30 pm on Friday and ended three hours and 27 minutes later at nearly 3:00 am local time with <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2023/peroni-nastro-azzuro-refresh-recap-day-8-nbo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rybakina the winner, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(8)</a>. </p>
<h3>Canadian Content</h3>
<p>Leylah Annie Fernandez made it the furthest out of the Canadians in singles action, reaching the third round before falling at the hands of Danielle Collins. Fernandez had <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/wta-montreal-live-blog-fernandez-thrills-home-crowd-epic-win-over-haddad-maia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a big win over 11<sup>th</sup> seed Beatriz Haddad-Maia</a> in the second round in a match that went three sets. It was the biggest win ranking-wise of 2023 for the 20-year-old Fernandez. </p>
<p><strong>Read also:</strong> <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/leylah-fernandez-had-every-emotion-her-epic-montreal-win-we-love-her-it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leylah Annie Fernandez had every emotion in her epic Montreal win and we love her for it</a></p>
<p>Bianca Andreescu had the misfortune of facing an in-form Camila Giorgi, who in that match was back in the form that saw her win the title in Montreal two years ago.</p>
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/a24_VhF7814" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Shortly after her exit from the tournament, Andreescu released a statement that she had suffered a small stress fracture in her back during the Mubadala Citi Open in Washington, DC, the week before Montreal and was going to need to take some time to get healthy. She hopes the injury heals up quickly allowing her to compete at the US Open at the end of the month. </p>
<p><strong>Read and Watch: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/video/2023/venus-has-big-praise-for-leylah" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Venus Williams Has Big Praise For Leylah</a> </strong></p>
<p>A final Canadian, Rebecca Marino, also fell in the first round to Katie Boulter of the UK, 6-3, 6-1. </p>
<h3>Doubles </h3>
<p>The Doubles title in Montreal was claimed by the seventh-seeded duo from Japan, Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara who took a close match 6-4, 4-6, [13-11] over the fifth-seeded tandem of Desirae Krawczyk and Demi Schuurs. </p>
<p>A Canadian pair that made it further than expected was that of Marina Stakusic and Carol Zhao who advanced to the round of sixteen and were in fact the last Canadians standing in either Montreal or Toronto this year. Stakusic is only 18 years old and definitely benefitted from the experience as well as playing alongside the veteran Zhao. </p>

News

All news

Read

Listen

Watch

WTA Daily recap

ATP Daily recap

Coco Gauff’s Dream Comes True at US Open

Top news

Novak Djokovic Grabs Slam No. 24 at US Open

Rivard: Paris 2024 - All eyes on Denmark

Gauff Caps Dream Week with Breakthrough in Cincinnati

Novak Djokovic Grabs Slam No. 24 at US Open

Peroni Nastro Azzuro Refresh: Recap of the 2023 National Bank Open

Coco Gauff’s Dream Comes True at US Open

Rivard: Paris 2024 - All eyes on Denmark

Inside the Lines: Djokovic, Alcaraz a Cut Above Heading Into US Open

Gauff Caps Dream Week with Breakthrough in Cincinnati

Djokovic Outlasts Alcaraz in Thriller for Cincinnati Title

Inside the Lines: We’re On to Cincinnati

Rivard: Going the distance in 2023

Sinner Finally Breaks Through for Biggest Title in Toronto

Pegula Finally Gets Her Hands on Montreal Trophy

Don't miss out

News

All news

Read

Listen

Watch

WTA Daily recap

ATP Daily recap

Coco Gauff’s Dream Comes True at US Open

Top news

Novak Djokovic Grabs Slam No. 24 at US Open

Rivard: Paris 2024 - All eyes on Denmark

Gauff Caps Dream Week with Breakthrough in Cincinnati

Novak Djokovic Grabs Slam No. 24 at US Open

Peroni Nastro Azzuro Refresh: Recap of the 2023 National Bank Open

Coco Gauff’s Dream Comes True at US Open

Rivard: Paris 2024 - All eyes on Denmark

Inside the Lines: Djokovic, Alcaraz a Cut Above Heading Into US Open

Gauff Caps Dream Week with Breakthrough in Cincinnati

Djokovic Outlasts Alcaraz in Thriller for Cincinnati Title

Inside the Lines: We’re On to Cincinnati

Rivard: Going the distance in 2023

Sinner Finally Breaks Through for Biggest Title in Toronto

Pegula Finally Gets Her Hands on Montreal Trophy

Don't miss out

Rivard: Paris 2024 - All eyes on Denmark

Rivard: Paris 2024 - All eyes on Denmark