Looking back at the first week that was at the NBO in Montreal

So much has happened since then. 

With that in mind, let’s take a look back at some memorable moments. 

Botic’s magic 

Botic van de Zandschulp hit one of the best shots you’ll ever see when he faced Hubert Hurkacz in the third round. 

Readjusting with his feet after he tried to intercept a smash from the Pole, van de Zandschulp fell to the court. But the Dutchman still got his racquet on the ball — and produced an incredible reflex forehand winner. 

It came in an important game, too, as Hurkacz was broken trying to serve out the match in the second set. 

De Minaur’s touch 

Alex de Minaur lost a tough one to Cameron Norrie in the third round, double faulting on match point in the second set. 

But the Aussie won an incredible rally against his British opponent.

Norrie’s court coverage initially kept him in a point late in the first set. De Minaur’s two half-volley pick ups from the baseline were plenty good enough yet he saved the best for last with an inch-perfect lob that drew applause from Norrie. 

Racing Rinderknech 

When you think of Arthur Rinderknech’s game, maybe it’s his often devastating serve that first comes to mind. 

The 6-foot-5 Frenchman, however, prevailed in another scintillating rally in Montreal. 

In the third set against Brandon Nakashima on Saturday, Nakashima must have thought he won the point as he dragged Rinderknech from side to side. 

Rinderknech had the last word, planting a lob over Nakashima to prompt a surfing style celebration that went viral. 

Tien’s exchange with Paul 

Learner Tien got his first win over his compatriot Tommy Paul, in the third round. 

READ: NBO Montreal Tale of the Tape: Fonseca vs. Shelton

He only lost five games but told Paul at the net when it ended that he was beginning to suffer from leg cramps. 

“Don’t tell me that!” Paul replied with a big smile on his face. “Why are you telling me that now?” 

Indeed, he would have liked to extend the contest but Tien didn’t let him. 

Underarm charm 

There is no Alexander Bublik in the draw but that doesn’t mean there were no underarm serves. 

Daniel Merida hit several in the third set of his entertaining opening win against Canadian Liam Draxl. 

The match also produced a memorable quip from veteran chair umpire Fergus Murphy, who gave Merida a time violation warning. 

The 21-year-old Spaniard told Murphy that he’d never received a time violation warning before, to which the Irishman replied, matter of factly, “There has to be a first time for everything.” 

Monfils’ goodbye 

Tien ousted Gael Monfils in what will turn out to be Monfils’ last ever match at the NBO. But what’s a Monfils match without a highlight reel shot? 

The 39-year-old gave the fans what they wanted, leaping like Michael Jordan to put away a smash. Trademark. He smiled, as did, likely, everyone else at IGA Stadium. 

When it was over, Tien asked Monfils for his autograph on a tennis ball. Monfils, of course, obliged. 

Canadian doubles delight 

Canadian wildcards Alexis Galarneau and Duncan Chan had never played together before. 

No problem, though. 

They have made the quarterfinals, beating Alexander Zverev and Marcelo Melo in the first round and Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Kevin Krawietz in the second. 

Tiebreaks have been a charm for the duo. 

“Our secret is that we're having a lot of fun right now,” said Galarneau. “We don't know each other very well, so we're getting to know each other on and off the court.”

Chan, a senior at Texas Christian University, almost won his singles match, too. In his ATP debut, he pushed Thiago Tirante to a third-set tiebreak. 

Another line from a chair ump

Sometimes fans in the stands like to give advice to players. Jakub Mensik wanted a fan to stop when he played Terence Atmane on Friday and alerted chair umpire Greg Allensworth. 

Allensworth stepped in and said, “Sir, at the back of the court, the players have fantastic coaches that they pay to get them through the match, so please stop. Thank you.” 

The crowd at Rogers Court applauded and Mensik smiled. 

Photo: Pascal Ratthé/Tennis Canada