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Rafael Nadal, of Spain, leaves the courtroom after he misplaced to Lloyd Harris, of South Africa, within the Citi Open tennis event, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Washington. Harris received 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. (AP Picture/Nick Wass)
- If the Nationwide Financial institution Open sounds unfamiliar, that’s as a result of it was once the Rogers Cup
- Mix accidents, an Olympic 12 months and the pandemic, and an extended listing of prime names took a move in 2021
- See beneath as we break down whether or not favourite Rafael Nadal can win No. 6 in Toronto this week
There shall be a champion on the newly-renamed Nationwide Financial institution Open subsequent Sunday.
However the discuss should still middle extra round who didn’t come to Toronto and enter the safe bubble, than those that did. That’s what number of massive names are lacking this 12 months.
Djokovic, Federer, Thiem, Zverev, Berrettini, Murray – all MIA.
However Rafael Nadal, the champion of the final two editions held – 2019 in Montreal, 2018 in Toronto – shall be readily available even when a lingering foot damage might imply he’s at lower than 100%.
ATP Nationwide Financial institution Open Singles Odds
| Seed | Participant | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| [2] | Rafael Nadal (ESP) | +240 |
| [1] | Daniil Medvedev (RUS) | +300 |
| [3] | Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) | +600 |
| [4] | Andrey Rublev (RUS) | +750 |
| [5] | Denis Shapovalov (CAN) | +1400 |
| [16] | Jannik Sinner (ITA) | +2200 |
| [9] | Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) | +2200 |
| [15] | Aslan Karatsev (RUS) | +2800 |
| [7] | Hubert Hurkacz (POL) | +3300 |
| – | Sebastian Korda (USA) | +4000 |
| – | Karen Khachanov (RUS) | +4000 |
| – | Kei Nishikori (JPN) | +5000 |
| – | Nick Kyrgios (AUS) | +5000 |
| – | John Isner (USA) | +5000 |
| [WC] | Jenson Brooksby (USA) | +5000 |
| [6] | Casper Ruud (NOR) | +8000 |
| [SE] | Mackenzie McDonald (USA) | +12500 |
Odds as of Aug. 8 at Bet365
This shall be Nadal’s 14th journey to Canada. Solely native hero Denis Shapovalov (who has a home-court connection) has greater than two earlier main-draw appearances among the many contenders.
North American Arduous-Courtroom Debut for Many
Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Hurbert Hurkacz and Aslan Karatsev all performed the Olympics in Tokyo, on laborious courtroom.
Nevertheless it’s an extended journey, a tricky comedown. And the stakes – and situations – shall be very completely different. Nonetheless, it’s a greater scenario than in non-Olympic years, when most would have come from the grass and a bit summer time break. Meaning the outcomes could be a bit extra predictable.
ATP Nationwide Financial institution Open Contenders – Finest Earlier Outcomes
| Participant | Major-Draw Appearances | Profession W/L | Finest Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Nadal | 13 | 38-8 | Champion (5X) |
| Daniil Medvedev | 3 | 6-3 | Finalist (2019) |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | 2 | 5-2 | Finalist (2018) |
| Andrey Rublev | 1 | 0-2 | 1st spherical (2018) |
| Denis Shapovalov | 4 | 8-4 | SFs (2017) |
| Hubert Hurkacz | 1 | 2-3 | R16 (2019) |
| Jannik Sinner | – | – | Debut – 2021 |
| Aslan Karatsev | – | – | Debut – 2021 |
Former Champions Scarce within the Draw
With the notable exception of the favourite Nadal, former Nationwide Financial institution Open champions are scarce this 12 months.
However Nadal doesn’t look to be 100%. And he received’t wish to put pedal to steel three weeks earlier than the US Open.
Sorry, Toronto: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, No. 6 Dominic Thiem and No. 29 Stan Wawrinka have withdrawn from the 2021 @NBOtoronto. pic.twitter.com/mOH95FFuEq
— Gstaad Tennis (@GstaadTennis) July 24, 2021
The event has been a springboard – for a younger Alexander Zverev in 2017 when he received it, and for unseeded Tsitsipas in 2018 when he made the ultimate in his Canadian debut.
It could possibly be the second for Shapovalov to make his transfer on dwelling soil. Or Sebastian Korda. The Canadian arguably is in the right half of the draw – the top half.
Earlier Nationwide Financial institution Open Winners and Finalists
| Yr | Champion | Finalist |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Not Held | Not Held |
| 2019 | [1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) | [8] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) |
| 2018 | [1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) | Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) |
| 2017 | [4] Alexander Zverev (GER) | [2] Roger Federer (SUI) |
| 2016 | [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) | [3] Kei Nishikori (JPN) |
| 2015 | [2] Andy Murray (GBR) | [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
| 2014 | [13] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) | [2] Roger Federer (SUI) |
| 2013 | [4] Rafael Nadal (ESP) | [11] Milos Raonic (CAN) |
First-Spherical Matches to Watch
Benoit Paire (+195) vs Mackenzie McDonald (-260)
It’s not that Benoit Paire hasn’t already been complaining concerning the bubble – he has. However he has been enjoying higher tennis of late. Working example: he took McDonald to 6-4 within the third set earlier than shedding their second-round encounter in Washington this week. And McDonald is in Sunday’s closing there.
J’en peux plus de vos bulles @atptour !!! 💩
— paire benoit (@benoitpaire) August 7, 2021
The American should make a fast turnaround from the unaccustomed thrill of an enormous closing. He has to vary international locations, and return to grinding out a first-round match.
It’d solely be Tuesday, as he’ll have to attend out a adverse COVID take a look at upon arrival. However throughout that point he received’t be capable to observe on courts he has seen solely as soon as, three years in the past.
We’ve seen it usually sufficient; McDonald is an upset ready to occur.
Nick Kyrgios (-145) vs Reilly Opelka (+115)
Given a wild card into Toronto, Kyrgios has performed little tennis and hasn’t appeared significantly good, at the very least not in singles.
However the Aussie has had good success in opposition to the massive servers (Isner, Raonic – by way of he hasn’t crushed him since 2016 – and Karlovic).
The 2 have by no means met. However given their serves, the +100 for both of the primary two units to go over 12.5 video games (i.e., a tiebreak) is an effective wager.
Finest Wager: Daniil Medvedev (+300)
Longer shot: Denis Shapovalov (+1400)
Stephanie will get the straight dope from the tennis insiders. On courtroom, she has represented her nation internationally. A BA in journalism led to years on the MLB beat and a decade protecting tennis globally. She’s written for Postmedia, the Guardian, the New York Occasions and likewise publishes OpenCourt.ca.
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