Genie Bouchard returns to Match Point Canada for the first time in a few years, and reflects on great memories including the 10 year anniversary of her run to the Wimbledon finals back in 2014.
She also discusses working within the media landscape and what she still has left to give to the game.
Meanwhile, Ben and Mike break down Carlos Alcaraz's debut at the Laver Cup, and get set for the indoor hard court season with action in Beijing.
All of that and more on the latest episode of MPC! 
Listen to the podcast on your favourite platforms: 
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7N1Z2khrWbo8VBN1XOWyhD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spotify</a><a href="https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/matchpointcanadatcpn?selected=ADV7315373409" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Megaphone </a><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/match-point-canada/id1370718758" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Podcasts</a> 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kZRQbYKKKFE" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>

Podcast

Match Point Canada

Match Point Canada - Episode 33: Genie Bouchard

With his first Masters 1000 title, the current No.62 will move up in the rankings to No.23. 
Not only was his play practically perfect, Popyrin made the most of the opportunities he got from Rublev, who was way out of his comfort zone. 
READ: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/granollers-zeballos-reign-supreme-doubles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Granollers and Zeballos reign supreme in doubles</a>
Rublev got things started by dropping the first seven points and giving Popyrin a 2-0 lead. What happened to Rublev? It was one of two things: he was half asleep or the stakes were too high. It’s happened before. He’s disappeared from four Slam quarterfinals and has never won a Masters 1000 on a hard court. 
It’s a crack he’s talked openly about. He’s an ultra-emotional player who hasn’t yet learned to access his best tennis in high-pressure situations. 
After giving away two breaks in the first set, Rublev found himself down 1-3 in the second. Then, a sudden burst of energy helped him break back and even things out. 
READ: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/catching-up-acclaimed-musician-tennis-fan-alexandra-streliski" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Catching up with acclaimed musician and tennis fan Alexandra Stréliski</a> 
Popyrin stays the course

The reversal of fortune didn’t last. He was broken again and had trouble handling his rival’s laser-focused shots. A string of errors then put the match beyond his reach. 
The numbers don’t lie. In the end, Popyrin racked up 72 points, 10 aces and 3 double faults versus 54 points, 4 aces and 5 double faults for his opponent. 
Alexei Popyrin adds the most prestigious title of his career to the two ATP 250 championships already in his trophy case. For his efforts and the surprise he caused, he’ll pocket US$1,040,460, while Rublev will have to make do with US$573,090.
Featured photo by: Pascal Ratthé

Peroni

Tournament News

NBO Results

Peroni Refresh: Alexei Popyrin’s extraordinary feat!

Team Canada enjoyed a big week in Manchester, winning Group D and booking their spot in the Davis Cup Finals this November.
Tumaini Carayol, journalist from The Guardian, joins Ben and Mike to recap the action, including big performances from Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The hosts also discuss a coaching change for Naomi Osaka, Novak Djokovic's priorities, and a big performance from Marina Stakusic in Guadalajara.
All of that and more on the latest episode of MPC. 
Listen to the podcast on your favourite platforms: 
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7N1Z2khrWbo8VBN1XOWyhD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spotify</a><a href="https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/matchpointcanadatcpn?selected=ADV7315373409" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Megaphone </a><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/match-point-canada/id1370718758" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Podcasts</a><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZSqm8CHCiYw" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>

Match Point Canada - Episode 32: Davis Cup recap with Tumaini Carayol

Canadian Gabriel Diallo joins Match Point Canada this week, following his career best performance at Flushing Meadows. He reflects on his great success in New York, a big summer, and looks ahead to Canada's tie in Manchester.
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka are the US Open champions.
Ben and Mike breakdown the last Grand Slam of the tennis calendar, and also preview what's to come this week at Davis Cup 
This episode brought to you by Lobster Burger Bar and 10XTO.
Listen to the podcast on your favourite platforms: 
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7N1Z2khrWbo8VBN1XOWyhD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spotify</a><a href="https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/matchpointcanadatcpn?selected=ADV7315373409" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Megaphone </a><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/match-point-canada/id1370718758" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Hz-MjyxxgtM" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>

Match Point Canada - Episode 31: Gabriel Diallo

Today, let’s focus on some WTA stars who have been able to sustain some of the momentum that they started here at Sobeys Stadium and see how they’ve performed so far at the final major of 2024. 
Let’s start with<a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2024/cashmere-wrap-jessica-pegula-defends-her-national-bank-open-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> two-time reigning champion in Canada</a>, Jessica Pegula. 
Back-to-back titles in Montreal and Toronto have shown her prowess on the summer hard courts. Pegula admitted during her title run at the 2024 National Bank Open that <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/jessica-pegula-continues-love-affair-national-bank-open-title-defence-within-reach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">her solid results north of the border</a> are perhaps due to the close proximity to her hometown of nearby Buffalo. So far in New York, Pegula has looked just as strong as she did in Toronto as she did not drop a set on her way to the quarter-finals. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FJ9SrJpB4yw" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Following her round of sixteen victory against Diana Shnaider, who <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/jessica-pegula-continues-love-affair-national-bank-open-title-defence-within-reach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">she beat in Toronto as well</a>, Pegula mentioned that she employed some of what she learned at the NBO to help her in New York. 
“She’s really tricky, a tough lefty and has had a really good year so I thought I’d try to use the experience of when I played her in Toronto today and it was more or less the same, but I had to adapt to a couple of things she did differently.”
Shnaider, for her part, certainly <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/diana-shnaider-continues-2024-breakout-upset-gauff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impressed the Canadian crowds</a> with her semifinal result at the NBO where she fell to Pegula in straight sets. It is likely that many weren’t familiar with the 20-year-old prior to the tournament, as she has exploded onto the scene this year grabbing three titles on three different surfaces. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Vaz2koMGvh4" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Despite falling to Pegula once again in New York, Shnaider seems to have established herself as a legitimate Top 20 presence on the WTA Tour. 
Emma Navarro was one of several Americans who had a deep run in Canada this summer, as five of the final eight women left in the singles draw at the NBO were from the United States. In New York, Navarro is once again showing her hard-court strengths with a solid run. 
She knocked off defending champion Coco Gauff in the round of sixteen. Prior to this year, the 23-year-old had never before won a match at the US Open.<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cpKY2xkZsHo" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Navarro was asked at the National Bank Open about whether or not she has adjusted her goals as this season has progressed thanks to her strong play.
“Yeah, for sure. It's pretty crazy that being Top 10 could be on the horizon for me, it's definitely exciting and motivating. Then, of course, I haven't really thought too far ahead, but WTA Finals would be an amazing opportunity, so for sure a little bit of a boost of confidence, just knowing that I can play at this level.”
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/canadian-doubles-steal-show-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canadian Doubles Steal the Show in Toronto</a>
Some players who had strong runs in Toronto were not able to turn their momentum into wins at the US Open, but still delivered strong performances. 
National Bank Open finalist Amanda Anisimova came up against a tough draw at the US Open in having to face Olympic Gold Medalist Qinwen Zheng in the opening round. The just-turned 23-year-old American took the first set before Zheng found her footing and took the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. Nonetheless, Anisimova has <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/anisimova-keeps-making-strides-upsets-sabalenka-first-1000-semifinal-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">used her strong week in Canada</a> to move back into the Top 50 in the WTA rankings, far surpassing her early season target of cracking the Top 100. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0BV65S7Z52Q" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
The last time we saw the same women’s singles champion in both Canada and then New York was when Bianca Andreescu defeated Serena Williams in Toronto and then at the US Open back in 2019. 
Finally, Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe form the No. 1 tandem in women’s doubles at the US Open. They were finalists in Toronto, <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/dolehide-krawczyk-break-home-hearts-win-national-bank-open-doubles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">falling to the American tandem of Caroline Dolehide and Desirae Krawczyk</a> in a closely-contested championship match and <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/monday-digest-dabrowski-title-defence-on-track-at-us-open/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reached the quarter-finals in New York</a>. 
They are the last defending champions still alive from any of the draws at the US Open and are proving their consistency with another deep run.
Feature Photo : Peter Power

Tour Results

Sustaining Momentum from the National Bank Open to the US Open

Lukas Weese, Staff Editor at The Athletic, joins Match Point Canada to breakdown the storylines from the US Open which has included big time upsets of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
Weese discusses the impressive tennis of Zheng Qinwen, Daniil Medvedev flying under the radar, the struggles of Coco Gauff, and experiencing the atmosphere in New York.
Meanwhile, hosts Ben and Mike also chat about the Canadians, a breakthrough week for Gabriel Diallo, and project some favourites moving forward in the second week.
All of that and more on our latest episode of MPC. This episode is brought to you by Hotel X Toronto. 
Listen to the podcast on your favourite platforms: 
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7N1Z2khrWbo8VBN1XOWyhD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spotify</a><a href="https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/matchpointcanadatcpn?selected=ADV7315373409" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Megaphone </a><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/match-point-canada/id1370718758" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Podcasts</a><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eslwFj6DJj8" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>&amp;t=397s
 Timestamps
<ul><li>00:00 - Welcoming Lukas Weese of The Athletic</li><li>01:00 - Lukas' experience covering the US Open for the first time</li><li>02:40 - Watching Zheng Qinwen</li><li>04:20 - Olympic year factoring into results</li><li>05:40 - Process of covering of a Slam</li><li>08:22- Gabriel Diallo</li><li>10:20 - Jannik Sinner</li><li>12:25 - Gauff's struggles</li><li>15:50 - Storylines to follow for rest of 2024</li><li>17:00 - Shelton v. Tiafoe</li><li>18:15 - Losses from Djokovic and Alcaraz</li><li>21:05 - Who else can make a run?</li><li>23:58 - Coco/Brad Gilbert partnership</li><li>28:00 - Late nights again</li><li>29:10 - Iga and Aryna the favourites?</li><li>30:16 - Canadian wrap</li></ul>

Match Point Canada - Episode 30: US Open Week 1 with Lukas Weese

The US Open from Flushing Meadows is now underway, and hosts Ben and Mike tackle the last major of the season with a full tournament preview.
They cover a full breakdown of both the men's and women's draws, how things are shaping up for the Canadians, and offer their dark horse picks.
The pair also discuss the controversy surrounding Jannik Sinner, plus some big Canadian results at the Saskatoon Challenger.
A special thank you to 10XTO for this latest episode. Listen to the podcast on your favourite platforms: 
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7N1Z2khrWbo8VBN1XOWyhD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spotify</a><a href="https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/matchpointcanadatcpn?selected=ADV7315373409" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Megaphone </a><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/match-point-canada/id1370718758" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>

Match Point Canada - Episode 29: US Open Preview

The ATP Tour is in an interesting position heading into the final major of the year. The two men who reached the Olympic final combined for zero match wins (in only one total match) in the hard-court warm-up events. 
And then there was the world No. 1, who took advantage of their absence to cement his place in the top spot. 
The National Bank Open Power Rankings has a look at where the ATP’s best stack up ahead of the last Grand Slam event of 2024. 
(Brackets indicate change in position since <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/atp-power-rankings-2023-breakout-stars-coming-full-circle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the last edition of the Power Rankings</a> from before the National Bank Open. Players who withdrew prior to the NBO were not included in the last edition of the Power Rankings) 
<h3>1. Jannik Sinner (-) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 1 </li><li>2024 Record: 48-5 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Cincinnati Champion </li><li>Best US Open Result: Quarter-final (2022) </li></ul>
The world No. 1 will arrive in New York fresh off a title run in Cincinnati, which marked a bounce-back after a “dry spell” (only by his lofty 2024 standards). He is the only person on tour to have won multiple Masters 1000 titles this year, both on hard courts. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/htsVOPFaaQ8" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Amazingly, Sinner is STILL yet to lose before the quarter-finals in 2024, reaching the last eight at all 11 events he has played. He has also reached at least the semifinals at all but one event on a hard court this year. 
- Pete 
<h3>2. Carlos Alcaraz (New) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 3 </li><li>2024 Record: 38-8 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Olympic Silver Medal </li><li>Best US Open Result: Champion (2022) </li></ul>
Alcaraz has won two of three majors this season with victories at <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/destination-nbo-carlos-alcaraz-a-man-all-surfaces" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the French Open</a> and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/destination-nbo-powered-stm-alcaraz-keeps-making-history-wimbledon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wimbledon</a>. He captured a silver medal for his country at the Paris Olympics and is the youngest men’s player in history to win slams on three different surfaces. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SEFnfcfvLkw" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
So should we really be too worried that he lost an opening-round match in Cincinnati?  
Alcaraz is the most talented and complete player in the sport. Expect nothing less than a deep run at Flushing Meadows with a shot at a second-career US Open crown. 
- Ben 
<h3>3. Novak Djokovic (New) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 2 </li><li>2024 Record: 29-7 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Olympic Gold Medal </li><li>Best US Open Result: Champion (four times) </li></ul>
After all the possible warning signs of ageing and vulnerability in the first half of the season, Djokovic managed the almost unthinkable in Paris, winning the Olympic gold medal at 37 years old. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/highlights-from-2024-national-bank-open-montreal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highlights from the 2024 National Bank Open in Montréal </a>
The superstar has now won everything of note in the sport, from majors to Masters to ATP Finals victories and more. 
So why would the 24-time major winner stop now? The defending champion returns to New York surely beaming with confidence, although it is worth noting that he has not played a match since the Olympic final which was on clay. 
- Ben 
<h3>4. Alexander Zverev (-1) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 4 </li><li>2024 Record: 52-16 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Cincinnati SF </li><li>Best US Open Result: Runner-up (2020) </li></ul>
Zverev was agonizingly close to reaching the final in Cincinnati. It took a superhuman effort from Sinner to deny him in their thrilling semifinal clash. Despite the loss, the German was one of four players to reach the quarter-finals in both Montreal and southwest Ohio. 
He has been hyper-consistent since his title run in Rome back in May, only failing to reach the quarter-finals of one tournament. Zverev is also entering one of his better majors, where he has reached at least the quarter-finals in his last three appearances. 
- Pete 
<h3>5. Andrey Rublev (+1) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 6 </li><li>2024 Record: 34-17 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Montreal runner-up </li><li>Best US Open Result: Quarter-final (four times) </li></ul>
Through the first five Masters 1000 events of 2024, no player had reached two finals this year. The first to do it? Andrey Rublev when <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/rublev-finally-getting-some-wins-canada" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he reached the title match at the National Bank Open</a>. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ll8nsFWVtVM" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
While <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-atp-de-la-journee/2024/peroni-refresh-alexei-popyrins-extraordinary-feat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">his defeat in the Montreal final against Alexei Popyrin</a> was a missed opportunity, the fact remains that Rublev had a great summer, adding a Cincinnati quarter-final the following week, where he lost to the eventual champion (and the only other player to reach two Masters 1000 finals in 2024) Sinner. 
He is as well-primed as ever to finally break his Grand Slam quarter-final funk. 
- Pete 
<h3>6. Daniil Medvedev (-4) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 5 </li><li>2024 Record: 35-13 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Olympics R3 </li><li>Best US Open Result: Champion (2021) </li></ul>
As crazy as it might seem, former US Open champion and self-proclaimed “hard-court specialist” Daniil Medvedev will go into the US Open without a match win on a hard-court since Miami, having lost his opening matches in both Montreal and Cincinnati. It is the first time since 2017 that has happened to him. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/hockey-favourite-medvedev-hard-courts-certainly-are" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hockey not a favourite for Medvedev but hard courts certainly are</a>
Still, Medvedev is one of the best hard-court players in the world and always brings his A-game to New York. He has reached three finals at the US Open since 2019, winning one, and has reached four of the last five semifinals. 
- Pete 
<h3>7. Holger Rune (+3) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 15 </li><li>2024 Record: 33-17 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Cincinnati SF </li><li>Best US Open Result: Third round (2022) </li></ul>
While Rune has reached the round of 16 this season at the French Open and Wimbledon, the all-court player has had lulls in 2024 and recently parted ways with high-profile coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AclD1lnplrY" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
He has since appeared to have turned a corner. The 21-year-old produced his best Masters 1000 result of the year in Cincinnati, making a run to the semifinals and knocking off tough opponents like Matteo Berrettini and Jack Draper along the way. 
He’s peaking at the perfect time to do some damage. 
- Ben 
<h3>8. Taylor Fritz (-4) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 12 </li><li>2024 Record: 38-16 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Olympic R3 </li><li>Best US Open Result: Quarter-final (2023) </li></ul>
There’s a fun yet highly competitive rivalry on the ATP circuit to hold the spot as the top-ranked American man. 26-year-old Taylor Fritz has proven to be the most consistent of the group and rests just ahead of compatriots Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton heading into Flushing Meadows. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/the-canada-cincinnati-double-champions-agassi-rafter-roddick-nadal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Canada-Cincinnati Double Champions - Agassi, Rafter, Roddick, Nadal</a>
Fritz has all the tools for a big run on the hard courts – a booming serve, crisp and powerful groundstrokes, and big match experience. He’s been to two Grand Slam quarter-finals this year and is no doubt hungry to go a step further in New York. 
- Ben 
<h3>9. Frances Tiafoe (New) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 20 </li><li>2024 Record: 24-19 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Cincinnati Runner-Up </li><li>Best US Open Result: Semifinal (2022) </li></ul>
Is Frances Tiafoe back? 
2024 has largely been a disappointment for the American, but he has shown signs of life this summer on home soil, reaching the semifinals in Washington with a win over Rublev and then reaching his first Masters 1000 final last week in Cincinnati. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XWDOWsGk-Og" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
The US Open has historically been his best major, having reached his maiden Grand Slam semifinal in 2022 and getting to the quarters last year. It seems like the stars are aligning for Big Foe to get back to his big, ball-bashing ways in the Big Apple. 
- Pete 
<h3>10. Hubert Hurkacz (-3) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 7 </li><li>2024 Record: 38-16 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Montreal and Cincinnati QF </li><li>Best US Open Result: Second Round (five times)</li></ul>
When Hurkacz went down with a nasty-looking knee injury at Wimbledon, it seemed like he could be out for a while recovering. Instead, he turned around and reached back-to-back quarter-finals in Montreal, where he lost an epic three-setter to the eventual champion Popyrin, and Cincinnati. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/popyrin-wins-biggest-title-career-gets-private-jet-ride-he-wanted" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Popyrin wins biggest title of career and gets the private jet ride he wanted</a>
It is worth noting however that at the latter, he retired in the last eight, albeit with a calf injury rather than the knee he hurt at Wimbledon. What Hurkacz showed at the two Masters 1000s though is that when he is feeling good, he remains very reliable with that big serve of his. 
- Pete 
The National Bank Open Power Rankings are a group collaboration by the Power Rankings Panel which includes:
<ul><li><a href="https://twitter.com/PeteB_93" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pete Borkowski</a> – Content Editor, Tennis Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/boydmel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melissa Boyd</a> – Content Writer, Tennis Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/ChampagneSJade" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sarah-Jade Champagne</a> – Content Specialist, Tennis Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/EddieJonesLee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edward Lee</a> – Content Contributor, Tennis Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/BenLewisMPC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ben Lewis</a> – Host, Match Point Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/hulight" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hugues Leger</a> – Producer, Podcast Sur La Ligne</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/McIntyreTennis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mike McIntyre</a> – Host, Match Point Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/SanterreAbraham" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abraham Santerre</a> – Content Creator, Podcast Sur La Ligne</li><li>Patrick Steski - Content Contributor, Tennis Canada</li></ul>
<h3>US Open 2024 Predictions</h3>
Champion 
<ul><li>Pete: Jannik Sinner </li><li>Ben: Carlos Alcaraz </li><li>Mel: Jannik Sinner </li><li>Pat: Carlos Alcaraz </li><li>Eddie: Carlos Alcaraz </li></ul>
Dark Horse 
<ul><li>Pete: Matteo Berrettini </li><li>Mel: Lorenzo Musetti </li><li>Pat: Alex Michelsen </li><li>Eddie: Jack Draper </li></ul>
Bold Prediction: 
<ul><li>Pete: None of the Olympic medalists will reach the final </li><li>Ben: Berrettini reaches the second week </li><li>Mel: Alcaraz will NOT win his third straight major title. </li><li>Pat: Rublev will break his QF curse and reach a first major semifinal. </li><li>Eddie: Novak Djokovic will not make the second week. </li></ul>
Feature Photo : @WeAreTennis

Experts

ATP Power Rankings: Alcaraz and Djokovic Look for Quick Bounce Back

There is a defending champion in search of form, a local favourite who seems primed to finally break through, an in-form star who loves this surface... 
And of course, the world No. 1 who won this title two years ago. 
It feels like anything could happen at the 2024 US Open. The National Bank Open Power Rankings set the stage for the last major of the season. 
(Brackets indicate change in position since <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/wta-power-rankings-best-tennis-arrive-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the last edition of the Power Rankings</a> from before the National Bank Open. Players who withdrew prior to the NBO may not have been included in the last edition of the Power Rankings) 
<h3>1. Aryna Sabalenka (+1) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 2 </li><li>2024 Record: 39-11 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Cincinnati Champion </li><li>Best US Open Result: Runner-up (2023) </li></ul>
Two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka will go into New York with a full head of steam, fresh off a WTA 1000 crown in Cincinnati where she toppled world no. 1 Iga Swiatek in straight sets in the semis and then ousted the red-hot Jessica Pegula in the final. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jFjM0L0A_vM" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
It’s a stunningly quick turnaround for the world No. 2, who was plagued by a shoulder injury that kept her out of both Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics. A healthy Sabalenka is a force to be reckoned with, particularly on a hard court. 
- Ben 
<h3>2. Iga Swiatek (-1) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 1 </li><li>2024 Record: 50-6 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Cincinnati SF </li><li>Best US Open Result: Champion (2022) </li></ul>
The world No. 1’s summer did not exactly go to plan, but by the standards of most players it was very successful. She played two events, reaching the semifinals of both, making her one of two players to reach at least the semifinals at two out of the three big events between Wimbledon and the US Open (the other being Jessica Pegula). 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/four-things-we-learned-2024-national-bank-open-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Four Things We Learned at the 2024 National Bank Open in Toronto</a>
While she has not reached a final since Roland-Garros, her recent semifinal run in Cincinnati sets up her well for a run in New York, where she won the title in 2022. 
- Pete 
<h3>3. Jessica Pegula (+5) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 6 </li><li>2024 Record: 29-10 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Toronto Champion </li><li>Best US Open Result: Quarter-final (2022) </li></ul>
In terms of match wins, the only player to win more at the big events this summer than the world No. 1 is Pegula, who had a chance to become the first woman to win the Canada-Cincinnati double since the latter became a WTA 1000 event in 2009 by <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2024/cashmere-wrap-jessica-pegula-defends-her-national-bank-open-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">winning in Toronto</a> and reaching the final in Ohio, only to be denied by Sabalenka. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LLt5R3Zea8M" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
The American is finding ways to win right now and is in brilliant form after a largely challenging 2024. She should be full of confidence heading into her home major. 
- Pete 
<h3>4. Qinwen Zheng (+3) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 7 </li><li>2024 Record: 25-13 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Olympic Gold Medal </li><li>Best US Open Result: Quarter-final (2023) </li></ul>
Zheng’s breakthrough 2024 campaign went up another notch this summer as the 21-year-old won her biggest title to date, a gold medal at the Olympics in Paris. That included a shocking semifinal victory over the overwhelming favourite Swiatek. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/jessica-pegula-continues-love-affair-national-bank-open-title-defence-within-reach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jessica Pegula Continues Love Affair with National Bank Open</a>
While that result was on clay and she was upset in the third round of Cincinnati, the Chinese has already proven she can bring it at the big events on hard court, having reached her maiden major final earlier this year at the Australian Open. 
- Pete 
<h3>5. Coco Gauff (-2) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 3 </li><li>2024 Record: 36-13 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Toronto R3 </li><li>Best US Open Result: Champion (2023) </li></ul>
Last summer was the true breakout party for Gauff, who enjoyed the best two-month stretch of her career, winning titles in Washington and Cincinnati before a phenomenal run to <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/coco-gauffs-dream-comes-true-us-open" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open</a>. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/A1XTRVmDXlU" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
This summer, she fell in the round of 16 at the Paris Olympics and struggled in both Toronto and Cincinnati, managing <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/gauff-makes-right-adjustments-get-opening-win-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">just one win</a> across three matches as unforced errors continually crept into her game. 
There is still time to get it right – Gauff has the skillset, patience, and determination to fight herself back to the top. 
- Ben 
<h3>6. Elena Rybakina (-2) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 4 </li><li>2024 Record: 40-9 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Cincinnati R2 </li><li>Best US Open Result: Third round (twice) </li></ul>
It is a little tough to know what to make of Rybakina right now. There is no question that when she is healthy and on her game, she is one of the best players on tour, especially on faster surfaces like hard courts. 
But it seems like it’s been a while since she was both healthy and in-form. She missed the Olympics and Toronto before suffering a shocking loss from double match point up on her serve <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/fernandez-saves-match-points-to-shock-rybakina-in-cincinnati/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in Cincinnati against Leylah Annie Fernandez</a>. 
If peak Rybakina shows up in New York, she will be among the title favourites. 
- Pete 
<h3>7. Emma Navarro (New) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 13 </li><li>2024 Record: 43-18 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Toronto Semifinal </li><li>Best US Open Result: Round one (twice) </li></ul>
It’s been a career year for American Emma Navarro and she heads into her home slam in excellent form. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TCPuGXx-9NU" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
The 23-year-old had her best major result at Wimbledon on the grass courts, knocking out stars like Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff en route to the quarter-finals. She also showcased some of her best tennis at the National Bank Open in Toronto, <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2024/cashmere-wrap-anisimova-overcomes-navarro-dabrowski-routliffe-top-fernandez-sisters-reach-toronto-final" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reaching her first-ever WTA 1000 semifinal</a>. 
Navarro is a terrific athlete, with great baseline control from the back of the court, and elite counterpunching skills. 
- Ben 
<h3>8. Jasmine Paolini (-3) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 5 </li><li>2024 Record: 31-14 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Cincinnati R3 </li><li>Best US Open Result: R2 (2021) </li></ul>
This time last season, Paolini was on the cusp of the Top 30 in the WTA rankings but had never been past the second round of a major and had just one career title at the 250 level. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/naomi-osaka-thriving-on-off-court" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Naomi Osaka Thriving On and Off the Court</a>
Fast forward to the summer of 2024, and the Italian is a two-time major finalist, a WTA 1000 champion in Dubai, an Olympic gold medalist in doubles, and the world No. 5. The 28-year-old is the first player since Serena Williams to reach the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year. 
- Ben 
<h3>9. Liudmila Samsonova (New) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 16 </li><li>2024 Record: 23-19 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Toronto and Cincinnati QF </li><li>Best US Open Result: R4 (2022) </li></ul>
Samsonova was one of three players, the others being Sabalenka and Pegula, to make at least the quarter-finals at both WTA 1000 events on hard court this summer. She is also not long removed from a title on grass back in June. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MSFN4atOYXw" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Her big-hitting is well-suited to fast courts. Samsonova also has the ability to mix up her game which will make her a threat in the challenging New York conditions. 
- Pete 
<h3>10. Mirra Andreeva (New) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 21 </li><li>2024 Record: 25-11 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Iasi Champion </li><li>Best US Open Result: R2 (2023) </li></ul>
The 17-year-old is already earning a reputation as a player who can bring it at the big events. As wild as it might sound, her first-round loss at Wimbledon was her first Grand Slam opening-round loss. She had won at least a match in her first six majors, including a semifinal at Roland-Garros this year. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2024/cashmere-wrap-canadian-youngsters-make-moves-doubles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canadian Youngsters Make Moves in Doubles</a>
Andreeva will arrive in New York fresh off an impressive performance in Cincinnati where she nearly took out the world No. 1 Swiatek in the quarter-finals, taking the opening set before eventually falling 7-5 in the third. 
- Pete 
The National Bank Open Power Rankings are a group collaboration by the Power Rankings Panel which includes:
<ul><li><a href="https://twitter.com/PeteB_93" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pete Borkowski</a> – Content Editor, Tennis Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/boydmel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melissa Boyd</a> – Content Writer, Tennis Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/ChampagneSJade" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sarah-Jade Champagne</a> – Content Specialist, Tennis Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/EddieJonesLee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edward Lee</a> – Content Contributor, Tennis Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/BenLewisMPC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ben Lewis</a> – Host, Match Point Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/hulight" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hugues Leger</a> – Producer, Podcast Sur La Ligne</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/McIntyreTennis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mike McIntyre</a> – Host, Match Point Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/SanterreAbraham" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abraham Santerre</a> – Content Creator, Podcast Sur La Ligne</li><li>Patrick Steski - Content Contributor, Tennis Canada</li></ul>
<h3>US Open 2024 Predictions </h3>
Champion: 
<ul><li>Pete; Aryna Sabalenka </li><li>Ben: Aryna Sabalenka </li><li>Mel: Aryna Sabalenka </li><li>Pat: Aryna Sabalenka </li><li>Eddie: Aryna Sabalenka </li></ul>
Dark Horse: 
<ul><li>Pete: Diana Shnaider </li><li>Mel: Diana Shnaider </li><li>Pat: Amanda Anisimova </li><li>Eddie: Diana Shnaider </li></ul>
Bold Prediction: 
<ul><li>Pete: Two Americans will reach the semifinals </li><li>Ben: Paula Badosa has her best run at a Grand Slam this year </li><li>Mel: Jessica Pegula will break the QF curse and reach her first Grand Slam semifinal </li><li>Pat: Sabalenka will not drop a set. </li><li>Eddie: Sabalenka only drops one set </li></ul>
Feature Photo: Peter Power

WTA Power Rankings: A New York Breakthrough on the Horizon?

But the home crowd did find a bright spot in the women’s doubles draw: Three of the eight teams in the quarter-finals had at least one Canadian player, and by Saturday there was a guaranteed Canadian finalist.
<h3>Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe</h3>
Last year, after losing in the first round of Wimbledon, Gabriela Dabrowski found herself at a crossroads: Did she want to play with another doubles specialist, or did she want to take a chance and play with a singles player who may end up prioritizing their own career over their doubles partnership?
In the end, the Ottawa-native decided to go with the former. She met with Erin Routliffe, a New Zealander who grew up in — and at one point represented — Canada, and found that their goals and values aligned.<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/npt6QjlXLPU" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
“When I was playing and I was ranked lower, I had my eye on her as a partner. When you think of dream partners, she was definitely one of them. Then I slid in when she had a breakup,” Routliffe recalled with a laugh. “And then it ended up [being] good for both of us.”
While they both concede that their communication skills are still a work in progress, Dabrowski and Routliffe immediately found success as a team. Just weeks after making their debut at last year’s National Bank Open, Dabrowski and Routliffe captured <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/dabrowski-wins-historic-womens-doubles-title-at-us-open/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">their maiden Grand Slam women’s doubles title at the U.S. Open</a>.
Last fall, they <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/fernandez-dabrowski-win-titles-in-hong-kong-and-zhengzhou/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">won the WTA 500 event in Zhengzhou</a>, and reached the final of a 1000-level tournament in Guadalajara — impressive results that helped them qualify for the WTA Finals in Cancun. This year, they’ve won the <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/samsonova-beats-andreescu-to-win-libema-open-dabrowski-and-routliffe-prevail-in-nottingham/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WTA 250 event in Nottingham</a>, were <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/siniakova-and-townsend-topple-dabrowski-and-routliffe-to-win-wimbledon-doubles-crown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">runners-up at Wimbledon</a>, <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/dabrowski-and-routliffe-come-up-short-in-miami/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miami</a>, and <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/fernandez-dabrowski-both-beaten-in-eastbourne-finals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eastbourne</a>, and reached the semifinals of the <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/dabrowski-shaw-last-canadians-eliminated-from-australian-open/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian Open</a> and <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/dabrowski-routliffe-come-up-short-in-dubai-semifinals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dubai</a>.
“I think coming to every practice and coming to every match with as much of an open mind as we can has definitely helped us,” Dabrowski said of the key to their success. “We’ve had some really amazing people around us guiding us through that as well. It’s really hard to do it on your own. Everything is a learning curve, really.”<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/630RakRJ0HI" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
“I think we’re an aggressive team, we like to play on our terms, make a lot of first serves, and we like to get a lot of first touches off the serve,” Routliffe added. “I would say that Gaby’s amazing at the net, and she’s really comfortable at the net. I think that I’m probably more comfortable at the baseline, but I’m trying to be more comfortable at the net. I think together we try and bully players, bully teams, just with our court positioning.”
Playing in their first hard-court tournament together since March, Dabrowski and Routliffe — who also felt the pressure of competing in Canada — admitted that they struggled to find their footing. They were pushed to match tiebreaks in their first two matches but seemed to improve as the week progressed. And while <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/dolehide-krawczyk-break-home-hearts-win-national-bank-open-doubles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">they fell in the final to No. 3 seeds Caroline Dolehide and Desirae Krawczyk</a>, Dabrowski and Routliffe are feeling good as they head back to Flushing Meadows to defend their U.S. Open crown.
“A lot of it is just your energy and your vibe together and bringing out the best in each other in really tough moments,” Routliffe said. “Because with this [no-ad] scoring, it’s always about those crunch moments, those game-time points, and I think that we do a pretty good job of, when it comes down to it, supporting each other in those times.”
<h3>Leylah and Bianca Fernandez</h3>
Leylah and Bianca Fernandez have had two different trajectories in tennis — Leylah broke out as a teenager and reached the U.S. Open final in 2021, while <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/ncaa-update-bianca-fernandez-climbing-up-the-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bianca decided to play college tennis at UCLA</a> — but the two sisters will argue that they are really two halves of the same whole. In fact, they were taught, largely by their father and coach Jorge, to play the same way, despite the fact that Leylah is a lefty and Bianca a righty.
Two years after making their WTA 1000 debut as a team at the National Bank Open, the Fernandezes were awarded another wild card into the draw. Despite their relative inexperience, the sisters battled through, knocking out No. 5 seeds Demi Schurrs and Luisa Stefani, Catherine Harrison and Ashlyn Krueger, and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2024/cashmere-wrap-fernandez-dabrowski-meet-spot-doubles-final" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristina Mladenovic and Zhang Shuai</a> before <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2024/cashmere-wrap-anisimova-overcomes-navarro-dabrowski-routliffe-top-fernandez-sisters-reach-toronto-final" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">falling to top seeds Dabrowski and Routliffe in the semis</a>.<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nCnMB6dRtlA" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
The Fernandezes “are very fiery, they take the ball really early, so it doesn’t lend a lot of time for opponents to make decisions on their own time. That makes it tricky to play against,” Dabrowski said after the semifinal clash. “I think we knew that going into [our match], so that helped us be ready for it. … But I think also probably this week they had a bit of a surprise factor, I don’t think too many people in the tournament would have seen Bianca play too many matches.”
The last time they played this event, the Fernandezes admitted that they didn’t relish as much of the experience as they’d hoped, in large part due to the pressure they had put on themselves. But this time, they made it a point to have fun together. “We’re honest with each other when we need it, and when we need to pump each other up we know what to say because we’ve been together since diapers,” Bianca said.
Read also: <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/fernandez-denied-first-wta-1000-title-in-cincinnati-doubles-final/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leylah Annie Fernandez Denied First WTA 1000 Title in Cincinnati Doubles Final</a>
“Since I haven’t seen her in so long, sharing the court with her, being in the same vicinity as her where we can just talk, talk smack about anything and everything, basically poking fun at each other, it’s fun,” Leylah said. “It’s something that I have missed throughout the year, something that I cherish. [These are] moments that I know will be part of my core memories.”
One of those core memories came midway through this year’s tournament. Just hours after Leylah lost to Krueger in the second round of singles, Leylah and Bianca faced off against Krueger and Harrison in front of a full house on Court 1. Leylah, admittedly still struggling with the disappointment of her earlier defeat, let Bianca take charge of that encounter. Not only did Bianca raise her own level, but she was also instrumental in giving her sister a much-needed “reality check” to pull out a thrilling three-set win that day.
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12219703/Fernandez-Sisters-2024-NBO-Gyles-Dias.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Gyles Dias</figcaption></figure>
“She’s very honest and very straightforward, so there are times where she knows what to tell me to snap me out of that little funk that I’m going through, or just tells me one or two key words to give me confidence for the next point,” Leylah said. “Because she knows me that well, she knows what to tell me, and that brings down my nerves.” 
“I think we both have two different personalities, but balance each other out,” added Bianca. “Naturally, she’s always been a very positive, full-of-hope kid, so when I need the positivity, she’s there. Just like how she needed a bit of a reality check on a certain moment, I was there. I’ve always been, ‘No, these are the facts,’ and I’ve always been straightforward.”
The Fernandez sisters, who were given another wild card into this week’s WTA event in Cleveland, have already set their sights on their ultimate goal: qualifying for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles as a doubles team.
<h3>Ariana Arseneault and Mia Kupres</h3>
Ariana Arseneault and Mia Kupres have both hit major milestones this year. Arseneault, a Richmond Hill native and two-time All-American, recently wrapped up her successful NCAA career and graduated from Auburn University. Edmonton-native Kupres just finished her sophomore year at Texas A&amp;M, where she was named an All-American in doubles and helped <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/ncaa-update-branstine-returns-to-lead-texas-am-to-title/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clinch the school’s first NCAA team title</a>.
Together, the two friends have even made strides on the professional circuit. Earlier this summer, in their debut as a team, Arseneault and Kupres <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/arseneault-kupres-reign-at-home-in-granby/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">won the ITF W75+H event in Granby</a>, Quebec, dropping just one set in the process. Their efforts were rewarded with a wild card to the doubles draw of the National Bank Open, where <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2024/cashmere-wrap-canadian-youngsters-make-moves-doubles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">they reached the quarter-finals</a>.<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12216754/Arseneault-Kupres-2024-NBO-Gyles-Dias.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Gyles Dias</figcaption></figure>
“I think we both have really good serves and are active at the net, so both having this skill immediately puts us at an advantage, and then both our energies match really well,” Arseneault said. “We hold each other accountable really well, which is really important in doubles, and being able to be responsive to holding each other accountable and not getting irritable, I think we do a really good job of that.”
After coming from a set down to knock out No. 6 seeds Ellen Perez and Ulrikke Eikeri and then receiving a walkover from the team of Anna Dalinina and Marie Bouzkova, Arseneault and Kupres went face-to-face with No. 1 seeds Dabrowski and Routliffe. Arseneault and Kupres certainly gave the recent Wimbledon finalists a run for their money, taking the opening set in front of an electric atmosphere on the Cashmere Grandstand Court. But in the end, the experience of the top seeds proved to be too much for the young Canadians, who grew up looking up to Dabrowski.
“She was always the image of a top doubles player in my mind, because she was the most well-known Canadian doubles player,” Kupres said of Dabrowski. “She’s played [Billie Jean King] Cup so many times, and just won a medal at the Olympics. I think that’s such a cool experience that we got to play against her, and that it was a competitive match. I think that’s something to be proud of.”<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2ai-z1f39wI" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Looking to build on this momentum, Arseneault and Kupres confirmed they will join forces this week at the ITF W35 event in Saskatoon, and plan to play a few more events together in the coming months.
For Dabrowski, the most successful Canadian women’s doubles player of all time, the fact that her compatriots are already becoming just as competitive in doubles as they have been in singles is a clear sign that tennis associations must continue to invest more in the growth of doubles.
“I feel like many years ago that wouldn’t have been the choice of the federation to give college girls a wildcard into doubles, so I’m really glad that they made that decision,” Dabrowski said. “I think it sets a precedent for the future, that having a college career can mean that you have a lot of success during and afterwards in singles or in doubles.”
Feature Photo : Gyles Dias

Canadian Doubles Steal the Show in Toronto

Veteran Elina Svitolina is back on Match Point Canada, as she caught up with Mike at the National Bank Open the other week in Toronto!
Meanwhile, Ben and Mike dive in on Cincinnati action and titles from Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, a controversial call that proved costly for Felix Auger-Aliassime, a solid run from Leylah Annie Fernandez and much more.
All of that on the latest episode of Match Point Canada! 
Listen to the podcast on your favourite platforms: 
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7N1Z2khrWbo8VBN1XOWyhD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spotify</a><a href="https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/matchpointcanadatcpn?selected=ADV7315373409" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Megaphone</a><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/match-point-canada/id1370718758" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Apple Podcasts</a><figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZuF-8yrffMw" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>

Match Point Canada - Episode 28: Elina Svitolina

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Here’s a look back at a week of surprising (to say the least!) tennis. <h3>Popyrin the giant slayer</h3>
<h3> </h3>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12225340/Popyrin-revers-Montréal-2024-ATP.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : ATP</figcaption></figure>
No one saw it coming, but Alexei Popyrin touched down in Montréal with a plan. And his incredible run culminated in<a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-atp-de-la-journee/2024/peroni-refresh-alexei-popyrins-extraordinary-feat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> a 6-2, 6-4 win over Andrey Rublev</a>, his first Masters 1000 title and one of the biggest surprises in NBO history.
It would be an understatement to say Popyrin wasn’t on anyone’s radar. He began his quest as the No.62 and soared 39 spots in the rankings to World No.23 over the course of the week. Along the way, he took down six higher-ranked players including three members of the Top 10—Machac (No. 39), Shelton (No. 14), Dimitrov (No. 10), Hurkacz (No. 6), <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-atp-de-la-journee/2024/peroni-nastro-azzuro-refresh-popyrin-surprises-korda" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korda (No. 18)</a> and Rublev (No. 8)—often after clawing his way back into the matches.
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/popyrin-wins-biggest-title-career-gets-private-jet-ride-he-wanted" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Popyrin wins biggest title of career and gets the private jet ride he wanted</a>
The last time a lower ranked player secured the crown was more than 30 years ago, when No.95 Mikael Pernfors won the 1993 Canadian Masters. 
 
<h3>The love rains down on Félix </h3>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12225344/Félix-cérémonie-Stade-IGA-Ben-Pelosse-JDM.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Ben Pelosse/Journal de Montréal</figcaption></figure>
While his one and only match (<a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-atp-de-la-journee/2024/peroni-nastro-azzuro-refresh-auger-aliassime-ejected-cobolli" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a loss to the mighty Flavio Cobolli</a>) won’t go down as one of Félix Auger-Aliassime’s fondest NBO memories, the previous evening on Centre Court very well might.
In a short ceremony ahead of the night matches on August 6, he and Gabriela Dabrowski were honoured for <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/auger-aliassime-dabrowski-win-olympic-mixed-doubles-bronze/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">winning bronze in mixed doubles at the Paris Games.</a> 
 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12225346/Félix-médaille-Stade-IGA-Ben-Pelosse-JDM.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Ben Pelosse/Journal de Montréal</figcaption></figure>
To mark the occasion, the tournament invited Daniel Nestor, one of only two other Olympic tennis medal winners in Canadian history, to congratulate them and symbolically pass on the torch. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12225345/Félix-cérémonie-Stade-IGA-public-TVA-Sports.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Image : TVA Sports</figcaption></figure>
Sébastien Lareau, with whom Daniel Nestor shares his hardware from Sydney 2000, was unable to attend.
A beautiful moment. 
 
<h3>Bublik the entertainer </h3>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12225343/Bublik-trick-shot-vs-Shelton-Montreal-2024.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Image : TennisTV</figcaption></figure>
Matches don’t often end on such a comical note.
Both the winner (Ben Shelton) and the loser (Alexander Bublik) were all smiles as they shook hands at the end of their first-round battle (7-6(4), 6-2) on Centre Court. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/granollers-zeballos-reign-supreme-doubles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Granollers and Zeballos reign supreme in doubles</a>
On match point, Shelton launched a drop shot, and when Bublik realized he’d never get there in time, he threw down his racquet. The ball proceeded to bounce right off the sweet spot and landed on the other side of the net to the roar of the crowd. 
But because the racquet had left Bublik’s hand, the point automatically went to a totally bewildered Ben Shelton. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SIfraTIJMZU" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
The shot of the tournament, for sure. Even if it didn’t count.
 
<h3>Rabbit, rabbit </h3>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12225348/Marque-Psycho-Bunny-5.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Paul Rivard</figcaption></figure>
It was everywhere.
On the apparel worn by the ball kids and volunteers and at merch stands all over the site. 
 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12225349/Marque-Psycho-Bunny-6.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Paul Rivard</figcaption></figure>
It was the first edition of a multi-year partnership between Tennis Canada and Psycho Bunny, a rapidly growing Québec clothing brand that temporarily swapped its usual crossbones for tennis racquets. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12225336/Marque-Psycho-Bunny-OBN-2024-1.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photos : Paul Rivard</figcaption></figure>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12225341/Valérie-Tétreault-blower-100824-Graham-Hughes-PC.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : PC</figcaption></figure>
The famous ears were even spotted on Centre Court, on a jacket worn by tournament director Valérie Tétreault, when she grabbed a drying machine to get things rolling again after one of the week’s many downpours. 
<h3>Fans in the stands </h3>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12225338/OBN-FOULE-TC.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Tennis Canada</figcaption></figure>
Despite the so-so weather and three cancelled sessions, an impressive 227,000 spectators (only 10,000 short of the 2022 record) visited the site.
And on the eve of the final, the NBO shared some really great news. 
 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12225342/Valérie-Tétreault-Pierre-Fitzgibbon-110824-Graham-Hughes-PC.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : PC</figcaption></figure>
Valérie Tétreault and Québec Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon confirmed the province would invest nearly $3M to bring the stadium up to standards ahead of the 2025 NBO in its expanded 96-player format. 
Feature Photo : Joël Lemay/Agence QMI

Highlights from the 2024 National Bank Open in Montréal  

Before we put the tournament to rest for another year, let’s look at some of the key takeaways from 2024. 
<h3>Jessica Pegula Among the Best</h3>
For the past few seasons, few have been as consistent as Jessica Pegula. This has been <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/jessica-pegula-continues-love-affair-national-bank-open-title-defence-within-reach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on full display each of the last four years here in Canada</a> as Pegula, who hails from nearby Buffalo, made the semifinals in 2021 and 2022 and hoisted the trophy in 2023 in Montreal and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2024/cashmere-wrap-jessica-pegula-defends-her-national-bank-open-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">now 2024 in Toronto</a>. 
Pegula is now 17-2 in main draw matches at the tournament and is the first back-to-back winner in Canada since Martina Hingis did the same in 1999 and 2000. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Hs7Lmab9hcc" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Pegula made her way to the finals without dropping a set and looked stronger with each subsequent match. Amanda Anisimova made her work hard in the final, where she needed three sets to claim victory 6-3, 2-6, 6-1. She’s maintained a spot in the Top 10 of the WTA rankings consistently since May of 2022 and shows no signs of slowing down.
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/diana-shnaider-continues-2024-breakout-upset-gauff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diana Shnaider Continues 2024 Breakout with Upset of Gauff</a>
Speaking after her victory on Monday, Pegula shared the mentality she takes with her onto the court in each match.
“I think I always approach every match as it’s going to be a really tough match… I don’t think I take any match lightly. The depth right now is really good, so I know that every day, no matter how well you’re playing or what the ranking is, that someone can beat you on any given day. I think I always kind of have maybe a little bit of an underdog mentality, no matter who I’m playing.”
<h3>Americans on the Rise</h3>
It was quite the tournament for players south of the border, as the United States was represented by five of the eight singles quarter-finalists this year in Toronto.
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/anisimova-keeps-making-strides-upsets-sabalenka-first-1000-semifinal-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anisimova Keeps Making Strides</a>
“It’s been awesome. I feel like we’ve been really strong,” said Pegula about American depth on the women’s tour. “For the last few years the depth has been really good. It’s amazing we have five girls in the Top 15, which is a crazy stat. Hopefully one of us can kind of step up maybe and win some more bigger tournaments as well.”<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Cpx_0ktUv-o" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Not only are there plenty of Americans in the top of the game now, but there are several in their early 20s which means the future looks bright. 
“It’s really cool and hopefully that will just keep inspiring more Americans and more girls to want to play this sport. I think it’s growing a lot as well, and that’s exciting,” said Pegula.
<h3>Doubles Rules</h3>
The doubles draw got plenty of attention this year at the NBO thanks in part to the strong group of Canadians who went deep in the tournament. From<a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2024/cashmere-wrap-anisimova-overcomes-navarro-dabrowski-routliffe-top-fernandez-sisters-reach-toronto-final" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> finalist Gabriela Dabrowski</a>, who plays alongside Erin Routliffe of New Zealand, to the Fernandez sisters, Leylah Annie and Bianca Jolie, to <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2024/cashmere-wrap-canadian-youngsters-make-moves-doubles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the surprising wildcard duo of Ariana Arseneault and Mia Kupres</a>, there were plenty of Canadian flags waving in the later stages of the draw. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nCnMB6dRtlA" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/dolehide-krawczyk-break-home-hearts-win-national-bank-open-doubles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The doubles final held on Centre Cour</a>t had a very big crowd who all appreciated the fast reflexes, hand-eye coordination and solid teamwork on display Monday night. Champion Desirae Krawczyk certainly appreciated the energy when she said, “I think for women’s doubles that’s just great to have such a big turnout after the singles finals, and we really appreciate it, but it was a great atmosphere, that’s all you can ask for.”
<h3>Mental Health Prioritized</h3>
Yet again this year the National Bank Open sent a message to players and fans that mental health needs to be prioritized. With positivity post cards, quiet spaces for the players on site, mental health discussions, yoga, and dog therapy, it was clear that Tennis Canada and the tournament are giving a <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/mental-timeout/the-project/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genuine push towards normalizing the discussion</a> on this important topic.
Tournament director Karl Hale spoke about prioritizing mental health, saying, “That program is continually expanding, it’s really important, not just for women, but for men as well, so we’ll continue to expand that program. I think, on the tour, we’re probably the leaders on the tour.”
Feature Photo: Peter Power

Four Things We Learned at the 2024 National Bank Open in Toronto

<h3>Iga or Aryna?</h3>
If she stays healthy, World No.1 Iga Swiatek should extend her reign until the year wraps up. Her five crowns including the French Slam guarantee her WTA Finals berth, but will she lead the elite eight into Riyadh? 
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12234442/Picture-paul-blog.webp" alt="" /></figure>
Source : WTA That’s a trick question since Aryna Sabalenka, who’s been blazing through 2024 with three titles including two majors, trails Iga by only 400 points with three key tournaments (two WTA 1000 and one WTA 500) still on the calendar. 
Among the new faces who could be in the mix in Saudi Arabia are Jasmine Paolini, Emma Navarro and Qinwen Zheng.
<h3>Sinner flying solo</h3>
Meanwhile in the ATP, the real race is between the no.2 and the no.3 since Jannik Sinner has a 3,000-point lead over his closest rivals. Separated by about 100 points, Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz head into Turin far ahead of no.4 Daniil Medvedev.
<a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/canada-britain-2024-davis-cup-finals-group-stage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more: Canada defeats Britain to win Group D at Davis Cup</a>
Also hotly contested is the no.8 spot. The GOAT currently sits at no.9 but could close the gap of less than 50 points between him and the current no.8 Alex de Minaur. 
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12234444/novak-paul-blog.webp" alt="" /></figure>
Photo : Tennis365
Surprisingly though, Djokovic isn’t putting too much pressure on himself to make that happen. Since winning Olympic gold in Paris—the only significant title that had eluded him—he’s recalibrated his priorities. 
“Torino is not my goal at all, to be honest. I am not chasing ATP Finals, I am not chasing the rankings,” he told reporters after helping Serbia overtake Greece in the Davis Cup World Group I tie in Belgrade. “As far as I am concerned, I am done with those tournaments for my career. Whether I will play other tournaments this year or in the future, I can’t say right now.” =================
<h3>Laver Cup: advantage Europe (again) </h3>
The seventh edition of the Laver Cup runs from September 20 to 22 at Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.
A sign of the times, zero of the Big Three will be on the court or behind the bench, though Roger Federer should be in attendance as the event’s cofounder. 

<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12234443/Picture3-laver-cup-blog-paul.webp" alt="" /></figure>
 Photo : Laver Cup
This year, the teams get new captains as Yannick Noah and Andre Agassi take over from Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.
The tournament has lost some of the newness of its pre-pandemic beginnings, but it remains one of my favourites. Exhibition tennis that’s serious and competitive. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QfKoVvEZCVE" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
As in every edition (except 2023), a glance at the teams reveals the chasm between them when it comes to the competitors’ ATP rankings. Team World vs. Team Europe is a timid David vs. Goliath. 
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12234445/laver-cup-Picture4-paul-blog.webp" alt="" /></figure>
Photo : Laver Cup
Europe World
Zverev (2) Fritz (7)
Alcaraz (3) Tiafoe (16)
Medvedev (5) Shelton (17)
Ruud (9) Tabilo (22)
Dimitrov (10) Cerundolo (31)
Tsitsipas (12) Kokkinakis (78)
When everyone on the blue team is a member of the Top 12 compared to only one guy on the reds, the odds are that the Laver Cup will find its way back to Europe for the fifth time. 
Still, the Laver Cup’s unique format leaves room for a few surprises. In 2022, after four straight losses, Team World with the help of Félix Auger-Aliassime in the best year of his career, finally raised the Laver Cup. And last year in Vancouver, the red team won by a landslide. 
2017 Europe 15 World 9
2018 Europe 13 World 8
2019 Europe 13 World 11
2020 ------------
2021 Europe 14 World 1 
2022 World 13 Europe 8
2023 World 13 Europe 2
So no Félix, no Roger, no Rafa and no Novak this year. Will David keep taunting Goliath, or will the old continent rise up once again? 
Das werden wir in Berlin sehen!

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Sprint to the finish line

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Sustaining Momentum from the National Bank Open to the US Open

Highlights from the 2024 National Bank Open in Montréal

Four Things We Learned at the 2024 National Bank Open in Toronto

Match Point Canada - Episode 33: Genie Bouchard

Peroni Refresh: Alexei Popyrin’s extraordinary feat!

Match Point Canada - Episode 32: Davis Cup recap with Tumaini Carayol

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