Top-ranked and defending champion Daniil Medvedev wasn’t bothered by the irritating delays on account of rain on the National Bank Open.
It’s one of many perks of his prime rating in males’s singles. Medvedev obtained a first-round bye as a prime seed and certain received’t play his opening match till Wednesday.
“I will have two good days of practice and after I’ll start the tournament,” he mentioned.
“Of course, I’m very hungry for victories.” While lots of his ATP Tour friends have been caught ready to see when the rain would let up, the assured Russian star was capable of calm down figuring out he solely needed to tinker together with his coaching schedule.
Medvedev held court docket with reporters throughout a 15-minute availability earlier than persevering with preparations for his title protection.
He enters the competitors on a roll after successful in Mexico over the weekend. Medvedev didn’t lose a set on the event en path to claiming his 14th profession ATP-level crown.
“Feeling 100% physically (and I’m) mentally ready,” Medvedev mentioned.
“Really happy with Los Cabos for sure with the title. Looking forward to here, trying to get some good matches.” Medvedev, who competes below a impartial flag, may face Australia’s Nick Kyrgios within the second spherical. Kyrgios, who jumped 26 spots to No. 37 on this week’s rankings following a victory on the Citi Open, was scheduled to open towards Argentina’s Sebastian Baez.
World No. 9 Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal is certainly one of many younger stars who’re seeded for the $6.53 million event. Others embody Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, Norway’s Casper Ruud and Italy’s Jannik Sinner.
Rafael Nadal withdrew on the eve of the event on account of an stomach harm. The remainder of the so-called Big Three — Roger Federer (knee) and Novak Djokovic (unvaccinated) — have been additionally absent.
“It doesn’t change much if they’re here or not because my goal is to win the tournament,” Medvedev mentioned.
“So no matter who I play … if it’s going to be a qualifier or wild card, lucky loser, second seed, I just want to win the match.” Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori defeated Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a match that started 4 hours after its initially scheduled begin time Monday.
In different early matches, American Jenson Brooksby beat Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan 6-2, 6-3 and Russia’s Karen Khachanov topped Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-3. Alex Molcan of Slovakia defeated American Mackenzie McDonald 7-6 (1), 6-4.
Rain returned later Monday and compelled the suspension of all night matches.
Australia’s Alex de Minaur had a 7-5, 6-6 lead on Canada’s Denis Shapovalov when the rain started They had break up the primary six factors of the tiebreaker.
Auger-Aliassime has a first-round bye because the No. 6 seed and certain received’t play his opening match till Wednesday. Pospisil was slated to play his opening doubles match with Sinner on Monday, but it surely was rescheduled.
The singles subject consists of 41 of the highest 44 gamers within the males’s rankings.
Robert Bedard was the final Canadian to win this event, taking the 1958 title in Vancouver.
