Canadians will have big customers in the first round of the National Bank Open

Canadian players won’t have it easy in the first round of the National Bank Open. This is the observation that we made after the draw that took place this Friday at Place Ville Marie.

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Félix Auger-Aliassime had a favorable draw. With his pass, he will face a player from the qualifications in the second round. The Quebecer should play his first game only on Wednesday. It will give him time to have some respite after his participation in the tournament in Mexico.

It is well positioned at the bottom of the first portion of the table. He could go a long way with solid play.

For his part, Denis Shapovalov will have a big case on his hands for his first round match. He will face Australian Alex de Minaur, 21^e world racket. This one has just won the Atlanta tournament.

This is not necessarily the duel that the Canadian wanted for his debut at the Montreal tournament. It should be remembered that he has lost eight of his last nine games. His only victory came at Wimbledon at the end of June.

Alexis Galarneau will also face a big client. At his baptism of fire at the National Bank Open, he will cross swords with Grigor -Dimitrov. We will see what the young wolf can do against a veteran of the circuit.

Finally, veteran Vasek Pospisil, who earned a bye to the main draw, will have a tough challenge as he takes on American Tommy Paul.

Significant shocks

Several matches will be interesting in the first round. Among these, we note a clash between Marin Cilic and Borna Coric. Cilic missed the last Grand Slam tournament due to COVID-19.

We can expect him to have a knife between his teeth. The Croatian is never an easy client, regardless of the surface.

On the side of the enfant terrible of the ATP Nick Kyrgios, he was not lucky in the draw. With a first-round win, he could get a date with Russian Daniil Medvedev in the second round.

If the Australian has a good day, we could see a high quality duel. The Wimbledon runner-up is on a hot streak and has shown he can be dangerous against anyone.

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME

pass

• Showdown 2^e round
• Winner of a duel between two qualifiers

The Canadians in action at the start

Denis Shapovalov (Canada) vs. Alex de Minaur (Australia)

Sheet between the two players

► 2-0 from Minaur

Alexis Galarneau (Canada) vs. Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria)

Sheet between the two players

► 1^er confrontation

Vasek Pospisil (Canada) vs. Tommy Paul (USA)

Sheet between the two players

► 1^er confrontation