Welcome to the Road to the National Bank Open. Every week, we will keep you updated on all the action on the ATP Tour as we build towards the National Bank Open in Montreal, which takes place from Aug. 3 to 12.
Days until the National Bank Open: 53
On-Court Action
At just 21-years-old, Carlos Alcaraz is primed to rewrite the record books once again.
Already the youngest player to be ranked No. 1 in the world, the Spanish sensation is now the youngest player to have won a major title on all three surfaces, adding Roland-Garros on clay to his collection that already included a hard-court win at the US Open and a grass victory at Wimbledon.
He now has three cracks at becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. If he wins any of the next three Australian Open titles, he will break Rafael Nadal’s record. The elder Spaniard completed his set at age 24.
Alcaraz’s most recent triumph came at the expense of Alexander Zverev in a five-set French Open final, where the Spaniard rallied from two sets to one down to lift his first Coupe des Mousquetaires.
He also came from two sets to one down in the semifinals against Jannik Sinner. By doing so, he became the first man since Roger Federer at the 2017 Australian Open to win a major having played five-setters in both the semis and final.
Read also: Rafael Nadal’s Unforgettable First in Montréal
Despite coming into the tournament with question marks around his health, Alcaraz looked strong for most of the tournament, only dropping one set in his first five matches. Even when he seemed to be struggling physically in the later rounds, he was able to use all of his creative shot-making to compensate and find a way to win.
Zverev is now 0-2 in Grand Slam singles finals. He led and was within a set of victory in both.
Even though he lost in the semifinals, Sinner leaves Paris with a massive achievement. As of Monday, the reigning National Bank Open champion is the newest world No. 1, the first Italian man to reach the top spot.
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His rise was a result of his run to the semis, but also largely due to Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal prior to the quarter-finals. The defending champion was forced to pull out with a knee injury, later revealed to be a torn meniscus which required surgery. His status for Wimbledon is currently uncertain.
Stories to Watch
With the dust settled in Paris, the tour shifts focus to the grass for the next month.
Alexander Zverev does not seem interested in dwelling on his French Open final defeat, as he is making the quick transition to grass this week in Stuttgart, where he is the top seed at the 250 event on home soil.
Ben Shelton joins Zverev in Stuttgart. The big-serving American struggled with an injury in his crushing loss at the hands of Felix Auger-Aliassime at Roland-Garros but will look to rebound on grass where his powerful game is well suited.
Alex de Minaur is the top seed at the other ATP 250 event in s-Hertogenbosch and is joined by Tommy Paul, as well as former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic, who is playing in his first event since Indian Wells.
The ATP's best return to Montreal this summer for the National Bank Open August 3 to 12, 2024 at IGA Stadium. 2024 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!
Feature Photo : Martin Sidorjak
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