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Coupe Rogers – Montreal, Canada

Back in Montreal for the first time since 2011, Roger Federer delighted fans leading up to the tournament and, after his second-round win, at a meet-and-greet with Lindt.

Top seed Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem took their tennis to new heights, launching the tournament on the rooftop of the Montreal Tower.

“It was tough,” Nadal laughed. “Very windy, but very, very nice views so it was great to be here in Montreal again. These kind of activities give us the chance to see a little bit more of the city from above.” 

Vasek Pospisil and Robin Haase were joined by NHL stars Jonathan Drouin, Charles Hudon and Michael McCarron for a bit of street hockey. More

Milos Raonic had a surprise greeting at his practice when Wayne Gretzky came by to say hello. “The Great One” also watched Canadian Denis Shapovalov during a practice session with another #NextGenATP star, Korean Hyeon Chung, while his 14-year-old daughter Emma had an opportunity to hit with Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan as they wrapped up their hit on the adjacent court. More

Doubles stars Daniel Nestor, Jean-Julien Rojer, Horia Tecau, Edouard Roger-Vasselin, Michael Venus, Mate Pavic, Nikola Mektic, Oliver Marach, Santiago Gonzalez and Fabrice Martin were on hand with a pro-am with lucky tennis fans.

#NetGenATP stars Reilly Opelka and Frances Tiafoe traded their racquets for bats, as they played baseball on Court Banque National against former Montreal Expos Derek Aucoin, Claude Raymond, and Denis Boucher.

Lucas Pouille, Pablo Carreno Busta, Kyle Edmund, Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Peter Polansky were on hand for kids’ day activities.

Karen Khachanov, David Goffin, John Isner, Shapovalov, Nick Kyrgios and Jared Donaldson met fans at the main stage for selfies and autographs.

Milos Raonic has won eight tour-level titles. He’s reached No. 3 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, and he’s played in a Wimbledon final. But Raonic has yet to win a home ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, an achievement that would satisfy him more than almost anything else on the ATP World Tour.

Raonic, the sixth seed this week at the Coupe Rogers in Montreal, talked about that elusive title and his biggest win at a Masters 1000 so far. 

Which ATP World Tour Masters 1000 host city is your favourite and why?
A standout is Toronto because that’s where I grew up but also, I like the fact that the Masters 1000 tournament in Canada continually changes year in and year out because I also spent three important years of my career living in Montreal… [Going back] is very enjoyable but I also just really badly want to succeed there. It’s one of my big goals.

What is your favourite memory at a Masters 1000?
I think the first time I really broke through. I had a wild card in the Masters in Canada, in the quallies [2009]. I qualified and I was the first Canadian in many years to do that. Just the reception I got gave me a really good taste of where I wanted my career to go, and I think that left me with a lot of motivation as well. [Raonic fell to 11^th seed Fernando Gonzalez 6-4 in the third set in his first-round match.]

What do you consider to be your best Masters 1000 win?
In 2014, beating Roger in the quarter-finals [Rolex Paris Masters]. I don’t think I had beaten him before, but it was also a match I needed to win to have a chance to qualify for the [Nitto ATP Finals].

What is your dream match at a Masters 1000?
A final in Canada, regardless of who it is, just the opportunity to win it, like I had in 2013 (l. to Nadal 6-2, 6-2).

Which Masters 1000 tournament has the rowdiest fans?

Miami night match can get quite rowdy. Paris indoors, because they like to support the underdogs, can get quite rowdy as well. 

How many cakes did you receive on your last birthday? One? Maybe two? When you’re Roger Federer, birthday parties never ends.

Federer admitted he received five cakes prior to taking in a Coldplay concert at Montreal’s Bell Centre, where lead singer Chris Martin gave him a birthday shout out. The Swiss superstar reflected on a memorable 36th birthday after securing his place in the Coupe Rogers third round on Wednesday afternoon.

“The thing is that they are big cakes, and you have to eat them during the week,” said Federer, smiling. “It’s good I’m doing some sport this week.

“It was quite a calm day yesterday. I spent my day with my team [and] I just practised here for a while… Yesterday evening, we had a meal all together, and we went to see Coldplay. It was very nice, a very nice day.”

Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Lucas Pouille, Matthew Ebden and Nicholas Monroe also made the trip to watch the British rock band.

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Federer, who will reunite with his family at next week’s Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati next week, experienced no headache on Wednesday. Competing in Montreal for the first time in six years, he defeated Canadian wild card Peter Polansky 6-2, 6-1 in his first match since capturing his 19th Grand Slam championships crown at Wimbledon on 16 July.

The two-time former champion, in 2004 (d. Roddick) and 2006 (d. Gasquet), will next face American No. 15 seed Jack Sock or former World No. 3 David Ferrer, the 2014 semi-finalist, in the third round.

“I started the first set well. In the second set, I was able to put pressure on him and he helped me with somedouble faults, of course. Overall, I’m very satisfied with the match. The conditions were tough here in Montreal. There was a lot of wind today and it was fast. Sometimes it’s difficult to find the rhythm.

“But I was happy that I was very focused on my service games. I was aggressive. This is how I want to play for the whole week. Anyway, it’s a good start.”

Federer lost just three points on serve against World No. 117 Polansky in the 21-minute opener and won seven straight games from a 4-2 lead in the first set. After the match, Polansky collected up all the tennis balls and put them in his bag as a souvenir.

“The crowd support was great,” Federer added. “It wasn’t the closest match today. But they were there for Peter when he needed them and he hit good shots, when they realized he was struggling. I thought that was really nice.

“And for me, they were there every step of the way. So I felt that, as well, which is actually good to see… Maybe that’s also why I always put this as one of my favourite tournaments, favourite centre courts out there, because they show up in big numbers, they show up with excitement and passion. For us to play here, it’s very inspiring.” 

Second seed Federer is now 32-2 on the season, which includes an ATP World Tour leading five trophies, and with no Emirates ATP Rankings to defend will soon be in contention for a return to No. 1.

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Canadian wild card Denis Shapovalov recorded one of the biggest wins of his fledgling career on Wednesday at the Coupe Rogers.

The 18-year-old #NextGenATP knocked out former World No. 4 Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 7-6(4) to become the youngest player in the last 16 of an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament since Rafael Nadal, 17, at the 2004 Miami Open presented by Itau.

“He’s my idol,” Shapovalov said of Del Potro. “First of all, just to play against him, it’s a huge honour for me. But to beat a player of this category, of this talent, it’s very inspiring and a huge confidence boost… It’s got to be one of my best wins. Has to be.

“He’s got massive weapons. But I felt like I was returning really well today. When I could get my racquet on it, I was putting a lot of them back. I think that put a little bit of pressure on him in the end. To break him at 5-all, he served a double fault. In the tie-break, I was getting a lot of serves back and he shanked a couple forehands. I think I did a good job of that.”

The result means that Shapovalov moves up from No. 11 to No. 9 in the Emirates ATP Race To Milan, vying for one of the seven coveted places at the 21-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals, to be held from 7-11 November. Learn More & Buy Tickets

Shapovalov will next face top seed and three-time former champion Rafael Nadal, bidding to return to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, or Croatian and fellow #NextGenATP Borna Coric.

Shapovalov was handed a 6-5 lead in the second set, when del Potro struck a double fault, but his Argentinean opponent immediately regrouped by forcing three errors and went on to lead 3/1 in the tie-break. Shapovalov capitalised on del Potro’s lack of forehand potency to win five straight points. He closed out his second tour-level match win of 2017 with a forehand volley winner much to the delight of ice hockey great Wayne Gretzky, who watched the one-hour and 44-minute encounter unfold.

“I’ve never played in an atmosphere like this. It was so loud. On match point, when I hit that double, right before it, I mean, my ears almost popped. They were cheering so loud, it was insane.

“It’s just so much fun to be out there, to be part of this atmosphere. I feel very privileged to be a part of this tournament.”

World No. 143 Shapovalov whose goal is to break into the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings by the end of the year, has won two ATP Challenge Tour titles in Canada this season at Drummondville and Gatineau.

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Gael Monfils produced a mesmerising moment of magic in storming back to upset Kei Nishikori at the Coupe Rogers on Wednesday. Monfils saved four match points – including two with clutch, spectacular hot shots – in a deciding set tie-break, rallying for a stunning 6-7(4), 7-5, 7-6(6) victory.

It marked the first time Monfils had come from a set down against a Top 10 opponent in seven years and just the third time in his career (3-62). A semi-finalist last year in Toronto, he improved to 13-7 overall at the Canadian ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event.

Monfils was a hot shot machine with his back against the wall on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, energising the Montreal faithful with forehand and backhand winners from the most improbable of angles. Earlier in the third set he produced back-to-back hot shots to break back when Nishikori served for the match.

But the Frenchman trumped that effort trailing 3/6 in the tie-break when, after a lung-busting rally, he nailed a down-the-line backhand that kissed the sideline and drew a standing ovation from raucous fans. Moments later Monfils muscled a down-the-line forehand winner from deep behind the baseline to stave off his fourth consecutive match point. (Watch below.)

“It’s a good victory for many reasons,” said Monfils. “It’s a big revenge, because last year around this time I had the same thing actually against Kei. I was up 6/2 in the tie-break in the Olympics in the quarter-finals and I lost the tie-break. So I know exactly what he feels.

“Actually last year, as well, a bit before, I played him in Miami. I also had five match points and I lost it 7-6 in the third. I’m more than happy because I fought through the toughness, because it was tough for me. It was a bit like a rollercoaster. I was a break down in each set.”

The pair split the first two sets and with Nishikori serving at 5-3 30/30 in the decider, Monfils laced consecutive pulsating winners to earn a dramatic break back. After being stretched side to side by an attacking Nishikori, Monfils looped an inch-perfect lob over his head for a winner. He then clocked a clean forehand winner down the line to secure the break.

In the deciding tie-break, Nishikori looked to be in command once again, extending his lead to 5/2 with a drop shot winner. He held four straight match points at 6/2, but Monfils would not be denied his moment in the spotlight. A backhand winner saved the second and a forehand winner turned aside the fourth. In front of an electric atmosphere on Banque Nationale Court, Monfils converted the first match point of his own with a forehand winner down the line.

In total, Nishikori won more points (116-108), but it was the Frenchman who was clutch in the big moments. He fired 28 winners, including 19 on his forehand wing to prevail after two hours and 41 minutes. He will next face 12th-seed Roberto Bautista Agut in Thursday’s third round. Bautista Agut dismissed Ryan Harrison 7-5, 6-2 earlier on Wednesday.

“I needed courage and a lot of luck,” Monfils added. “Matches like this depend on luck also. As I said, in the second set, he started off better than I did. It took time for me to get into it after the first set. I was able to play at a higher level at 5-2. The same thing happened in the third set. Now, for the last points, I needed to be brave and also have some luck – a lot of luck.”

The victory was Monfils’ first in his FedEx ATP Head2Head series against Nishikori, improving to 1-3. It was the third straight meeting decided in a third-set tie-break, with the Japanese most recently prevailing at both the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in Miami and the Rio Olympics last year. Nishikori owns the best career record in deciding sets according to the FedEx ATP Performance Zone, boasting a 112-35 win-loss record.

Monfils’ win also extends the theme of players saving four match points this week in Montreal. #NextGenATP Canadian Denis Shapovalov did so in defeating Rogerio Dutra Silva on Tuesday, as well as Diego Schwartzman in stunning third seed Dominic Thiem in the night session.

In other action, seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov set a third-round encounter with Robin Haase after securing a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Mischa Zverev. The Bulgarian, who reached the semi-finals in Toronto in 2014 and quarter-finals there last year, needed one hour and 39 minutes to oust his German opponent. He will face Haase for the third time, having won both their meetings in 2014 – in Indian Wells and Brisbane. The Dutchman earned his place in the third round with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Ernesto Escobedo.

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What’s been the secret to Denis Shapovalov’s success in Quebec this season? “Maybe it’s the poutine,” said the Canadian with a laugh of the Quebecois dish, ahead of the Coupe Rogers. 

The 18 year old won 13 straight matches in the Canadian province, picking up a pair of ATP Challenger titles in Drummondville and Gatineau, before the run came to an end last week in the Grandby semi-finals (l. to Polansky). On Tuesday afternoon in Montreal, with Wayne Gretzky watching from his box, Shapovalov collected another W in Quebec as he saved four match points en route to victory over Rogerio Dutra Silva on Court Central.

“It’s pretty crazy, the Challengers that I’ve won have been in home in Canada,” said Shapovalov. “Obviously the support has a really good effect on me. My best results have been at home, and it’s thanks to the crowd and thanks to the people that are helping me out, getting me ready at home, just giving me that extra little bit of court time. I love playing at home and I always feel like I bring my best game here.”

Case in point, last year’s Rogers Cup in Toronto provided the stage for his first tour-level win. Shapovalov, who grew up watching and attending this ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament, requested to play on Centre Court in his main draw debut and delivered a 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3 upset over No. 11 seed Nick Kyrgios in the opening round.

“It was huge for me… I didn’t expect to win obviously,” he said. “I think in the first set he might’ve been taking me a little bit lightly, but I stuck with him and it turned out to be an unbelievable match. I remember that feeling when I won and the roar of the crowd. It was an unforgettable moment for me, and I’ve taken that everywhere I go, that confidence, just the thought that I could be there and I’ve played better since.”

Federer remembers watching Shapovalov play in the Wimbledon juniors and also had a chance to practise with the teen a few years ago in Toronto, when he needed a lefty for a hitting partner. “He came out, had these big shots, great sliding serve and a lot of different types of shots, and I like to see that,” said the Swiss. “I’m a big fan of his, and I’m sure we’re going to see a lot of Denis in the future.”

Shapovalov had set a goal earlier this year of reaching the Top 150 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, but is now aiming higher – Top 100 – with his recent success pushing him to a career-high No. 130 in July. He also has his sights set on the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals, which will feature the top 21-and-under singles players on the ATP World Tour. Shapovalov entered Montreal at No. 11 in the Emirates ATP Race to Milan.

“With the two past weeks with the Challengers I’ve really made a push for it. I think I’m sitting [around] No. 10 right now, so I’m really close to getting in,” he said. “Honestly it’d be a great privilege to go and play that… I hope at the end of the year I can be a part of it.”