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: 38
On-Court Action
In his first event as the No. 1 player in the ATP rankings, Jannik Sinner showed why he currently owns the top spot.
The 22-year-old Italian made his debut as world No. 1 last week in Halle and did so in style, winning the first grass-court title of his career and cementing his status atop the game heading into Wimbledon where he will be the top seed at a major for the first time in his career.
Sinner did not have things all his own way in Halle, needing three sets in each of his first three matches. But he settled in as the tournament went along and capped off the run with a two-tiebreak victory over Hubert Hurkacz in the final.
Hurkacz himself had an impressive run, not dropping a set on his way to the final, including a straight-set victory over home-favourite and recent Roland-Garros runner-up Alexander Zverev v in the semis.
Read also: The Wonders of Grass-Court Tennis
While the favourites did well in Germany, the same could not be said across the channel at the Queen’s Club, where only two seeds reached the quarter-finals and only one got to the semis.
That lone seed to reach the final four was the eventual champion, Tommy Paul. The American picked up his third career ATP title and first on grass, dropping just one set all week. He defeated Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets in the final.
Musetti had upset second seed and the previous week’s champion in s-Hertogenbosch Alex de Minaur in the first round.
With the win, Paul becomes the top American in the ATP rankings.
Jack Draper brought his good form back to his home nation, causing the shock of the tournament when he took down defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the second round. The Brit’s winning streak was finally snapped at seven matches in the quarter-finals by the eventual champion Paul.
Stories to watch
Final preparations for Wimbledon are taking place this week at ATP 250 events in Eastbourne, where Taylor Fritz is the top seed, and Mallorca, where the field is led by Ben Shelton.
The Mallorca draw featured a throwback clash with former Top 10 players Gael Monfils and Dominic Thiem duking it out. Monfils won in straight sets.
The draw ceremony at Wimbledon will take place on Friday at 10 am local time, 5 am EDT.
One name that may be missing from the draw is two-time champion Andy Murray, who had back surgery following his retirement in the second round of Queen’s. This year’s edition of the Championships is expected to be Murray’s final appearance at his home major, where he broke a 77-year title drought for the hosts in 2013.
Read also: Marino Wins First Grass Title
Novak Djokovic’s status remains up in the air. The seven-time champion is practicing and has travelled to London but has not made any final decision on playing following meniscus surgery.
If both Murray and Djokovic are unable to play, that would leave Carlos Alcaraz as the only former Wimbledon champion in the men’s draw.
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 : @janniksin
