In pre-pandemic times, Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov had left their mark in Montreal, when the National Bank Tennis Open was called the Rogers Cup.
After a three-year absence, the men’s tournament is back in Montreal and the two Canadians are hoping to draw some magic from the past and take advantage of a few absences to kick off the final stretch of their season in a positive way.
Seeded sixth in the tournament, Auger-Aliassime will benefit from a first-round bye and is due to make his debut on Wednesday.
The Quebecer is coming back from a semi-final appearance at the Los Cabos tournament, where he regained some momentum after two consecutive eliminations in the first round, including at Wimbledon. He will seek to avoid the trap that often accompanies the pressure to perform well at home.
“We always try to prepare as well as possible, but we are never immune to surprises or a first-round elimination. This is why I never take a game for granted at the start of the tournament, expressed Auger-Aliassime, during a media availability, Sunday afternoon at the IGA stadium.
“Some players sometimes like to register for doubles to give themselves competitive conditions, but otherwise, in training, you have to put yourself in these conditions to be ready. »
During his last visit to Montreal, Auger-Aliassime had reached the third round and lost to Karen Khachanov after a long three-set battle. The noisy crowd had even tested the Russian’s patience by booing him and encouraging his favorite to break everything.
The role is now reversed for Auger-Aliassime, who will not only be one of the local stars of the tournament, but also one of the serious title contenders. The 21-year-old is however ready to take up this challenge which he accepts with open arms.
“It’s very good and it’s the position I want to be in. I put a lot of time and work to get there and I accept it, he mentioned. I’d rather be in this position than any other and it’s not entirely new to me. I’ve been expected to perform since I was 14 or 15. »
For his part, Shapovalov comes to Montreal having won just one of his last nine games since defeating Rafael Nadal in the third round of the Rome Masters. Despite his recent setbacks, the 23-year-old Ontarian doesn’t feel like he’s been playing bad tennis lately.
“I’m in the game in every game, but I don’t win. That’s all. I want to continue working and I know that at some point it will unblock, he observed. I’m not worried because I had a good start to the season and I’m playing good games despite the defeats. »
Shapovalov will have a lot to do in the first round as he faces Australian Alex de Minaur, who just won the Atlanta Open. If he manages to win, he could give himself some rhythm for the rest of the tournament.
“Alex has been doing very well recently and it will be a very good matchup. I look forward to taking part. We have already had some good duels in the past, among juniors and professionals. We know each other very well and I think it will be fun for the fans,” Shapovalov said. Winning a match like this can give you confidence and I will do everything to make it happen. »
Shapovalov will look to repeat his exploits of 2017 in Montreal, when he showed the way out to Juan Martin del Potro in the second round and Nadal in the third round before losing in the semi-finals to Alexander Zverev.
Even if the packages of Novak Djokovic and Nadal, as well as the absence of Zverev, suggest a small opening to make it to the final, Shapovalov expects several confrontations noted in the main draw.
“The competition is very strong. There are several difficult matches in all sections of the table. There are no more weak sections, he insisted. It’s very good for this tournament and for the fans, who see good games from the first round. From week to week, it seems like nothing is set in stone, especially when some of the best players are out. »
Two other Canadians are in the main draw, veteran Vasek Pospisil and youngster Alexis Galarneau.
In the first round, Pospisil will face the American Tommy Paul and if he were to triumph, he would have on his way the young Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz (no 2). Galarneau will face the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (no. 15). A confrontation with Shapovalov is possible in the second round.
The first games of the National Bank Open main draw will take place on Monday, weather permitting, while rain is expected all day.