(Montreal) Two former players of the top 10 world will participate in the qualifications for the National Bank Montreal Open, the organizing committee announced Thursday morning.
They are the Japanese Kei Nishikori, former world number 4 and finalist of the tournament in 2016, and the Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, who reached the quarter-finals of the Omnium Banque Nationale three times.
A total of 28 players will compete for one of the eight available spots in the main draw. Qualifying will take place on August 4 and 5 at the IGA Stadium.
PHOTO ISABEL INFANTES, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Roberto Bautista Agut at Wimbledon
Other players taking part include Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 21, who recently reached the round of 16 at Wimbledon, Italian Luca Nardi, 20, and American Alex Michelsen, 19, who both competed at the ATP Next Gen Finals last year.
Australian Alexei Popyrin, 43e world racket, and the Austrian Sebastian Ofner, 50e world, will also try to carve out a place for themselves in the main draw in Montreal.
“The list of main draw players that we unveiled last week, and today’s list of qualifying participants, really demonstrate the quality and depth that currently exists on the ATP Tour,” said Valérie Tétreault, the Montreal tournament director.
Due to the schedule of the Paris Olympic Games, the Omnium Banque Nationale will start and finish one day later than usual. As such, the first day of qualifying will be on Sunday, August 4, and the main draw matches will be played starting on Tuesday, August 6. In addition, the singles and doubles finals will be presented on Monday, August 12.