Hubert Hurkacz will face the toughest test in tennis on Thursday when he plays World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the third round of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers.

The pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head clash came in last year’s Miami Open presented by Itau semi-finals, won by Alcaraz 7-6(5), 7-6(2). This will be their first matchup since.

Ahead of the match, ATPTour.com spoke to Hurkacz’s coach, Craig Boynton, about how differently he gameplans for the very best players in the world, what makes Alcaraz unique and more.

Obviously you prepare for every match. But how is it different when it is to compete against Alcaraz or someone at that level?
There are a few people. Take Novak for example — Hubi’s played him six or seven times, and however many times he’s played him, he hasn’t beaten him. So with someone like that, you have to sit down and go, ‘Okay, look, we need to change something.’

You’ve got to get out of your comfort zone in some way to make an impact. He’s been close in a few of them, he just hasn’t been able to get over the line. And listen, Novak’s probably the greatest player to ever play. So there are people that you play, that you sit down [and say] these are [the] non-negotiables… The serve is back and you’re in a neutral [rally] — This is the play, this is what you want to key in on, and you want to put the ball in this part of the court with X amount of speed and spin to get the desired ball that you want in order to be in total control of the point.

And if the player cannot neutralise Hubi’s weapons, then it’s more about just keeping your emotional control. And then, the longer the match goes, the more it favours Hubi, because he has the weapons that can’t be neutralised. But at this rarefied air, these guys neutralise just about everything. So you need to be one step ahead.

How different is that compared to a typical match in which you’re playing someone at Hubi’s ranking compared to those in that rarefied air?
At Hubi’s ranking right now, we have the luxury of having played most everybody. So we have a history, which is really invaluable. If you don’t have the history, then it’s really gathering all the information and trying to put Hubi in the best spot.

Now Hubi has a ridiculously great serve. And when that’s rolling, he’s going to hold against just about everybody. I know in game-planning against big servers, when you’re on the return, you’re just waiting for that one game where things don’t go your way on the first serve. So then it’s really about the tactics, because then it’s 50-50 and that’s when that’s when you’ve got to be, really on point with really what you’re trying to accomplish.

You were talking about this sort of rarefied air, it’s a very select group of players. From what you can say, what’s different about Alcaraz compared to the likes of Djokovic and Nadal?
His skillset is [that] his average pace of ball is quite a bit higher than everyone’s and there’s a lot of great movement on the court. Not only is he a great mover, he just can see the play. His vision of the play is really incredible. I would joke that sometimes he knows where you’re going to hit the ball before you know where you’re going to hit the ball.

And then there’s really no weakness per se. There’s not something that breaks down. He competes really, really well. To be in the Top 20, you’ve got to be freakish at something and he seems to be freakish at everything.

What do you remember from Hubi’s match against Alcaraz in Miami that stands out?
Hubi was up in both tie-breaks and very easily could have won 6 and 6. So I don’t know if many people remember that.

Carlos is better and Hubi’s better. Carlos has developed different gears and he’s developed better tools and more precise tools, and he has a better understanding of his game. Hubi has a way of being able to kind of neutralise some of these big hitters with his athleticism and his speed. But again, you don’t want to have to do that time and time again, because the great ones will be able to adapt and adjust just as Hubi’s trying to adapt and adjust.

Carlos is on TV every match he plays. Do you have to sit and go through tape? Are you looking at the Miami match? How do you approach it?
I like to look at head-to-head. I also like to look at what they’ve been doing recently and then I’ll take someone that maybe has beaten who I’m looking at and watch that and see what they did and see if they have comparable weapons that Hubi has.

I like to watch tape and see why somebody wins. And I also like to see what happens when they lost. A lot of pro tennis is matchups on the day. So some of the times the rhythms were off or whatever, they had in their personal life, something didn’t go well or something like that. So I like to take about 20 minutes and just go, ‘He’s really good when this happens and we want to get you in this position’.

So it’s not you’re not sitting there on watching the film for three hours or something like that?
No, I’m not I because I want to keep it simple. Most of how I coach and how I coach Hubi is we go on the court and when the ball comes here, this is how you want to hit it. When the ball comes here, here are your options. And let him play prepared. I like to let my players play prepared, and obviously the better he’s serving and the more free points he has, that can free him up in other areas.

The stars of the ATP Tour motivate fans throughout the world. They have received plenty of reminders of that this week at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers in Toronto.

The likes of Andy Murray, Carlos Alcaraz and Andrey Rublev have all received positive hand-written notes from fans each day in their locker as part of Tennis Canada’s Mental Heath initiative.

“It’s amazing. When you’re playing the matches, obviously you feel the atmosphere and feel the support from the crowd. But you are out there doing it for yourself and your team, predominantly,” Murray said. “But then, whether it’s around the practice courts, or sometimes bumping into people in the street, having people say positive, nice things towards you is brilliant.”

When Murray was younger, he felt he was inspiring young kids on the rise just like he was once motivated by the best players in the world.

“I get more comments from 50, 60 year olds now saying, ‘Oh, I’ve got a metal hip as well’ or, ‘I’ve got a bad hip and you’re inspiring me to keep going’,” Murray said. “So it’s changed a little bit over the years, but it’s always nice.”

Alcaraz is only 20, but has quickly become one of the most popular athletes in the sport. The Spaniard has greatly enjoyed fans’ messages.

“It’s great to know all the love from the people. I read the messages that they write me on social media as well, in every platform and, of course, in the cards as well,” Alcaraz said. “Every day that I get into the locker room, I saw the cards,. And for me, it’s great to read it and know all the love that they have [for] me.”

Rublev is also a fans’ favourite. The 25-year-old makes a point of signing autographs for all fans waiting and giving back to those who spend part of their day watching him perform.

“For sure it’s super nice. I think for the players it’s very kind and very nice to receive those letters of support or something with nice words,” Rublev said. “I’m thinking this way and I guess for the rest of the players it’s the same. It’s super nice and you feel grateful.”

Slowing down is helping speed up Lorenzo Musetti’s ATP Tour ascent.

After winning his second-round match at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers Wednesday against Thanasi Kokkinakis, the Italian has now claimed multiple victories in eight consecutive tournaments. The work the 21-year-old has done to earn that consistency stretches beyond forehands and backhands.

“We are focussing on breathing, on trying to take more time, [to not] hurry up in the difficult situations, trying to think and trying to have a plan before starting to serve,” Musetti told ATPTour.com. “Or having a routine to stay relaxed in your heartbeat and your body. I’m working with a psychologist, and also my team, they are involved in it. I think the mix of the things, they’re working pretty good.”

Musetti faced a stiff test against Kokkinakis, a qualifier with the game to take on anyone who stands across the net. The Italian faced eight break points in the match across a gruelling two hours and 52 minutes, but was able to persevere, saving six of those break chances.

“I’m doing [the work] constantly every day. It keeps improving my game, my mentality. And today was probably the result of this work, and this work ethic that I try to improve and try to learn every day,” Musetti said. “I’m focussing really [on] each practice to try to get better and stay in the right focus. And today, it helped me to win the match because Thanasi was playing really good.”

Musetti has worked with a psychologist since age 18 and it has become an important part of his development.

“When I started to play [professionally], then I felt the need to,” Musetti said. “But even not on the tennis side, especially even for the private life and for Lorenzo outside the court. That’s probably the most important thing.”

Speaking of Musetti’s private life, he recently came to an important decision with his girlfriend: It was time for a haircut. His previously long, flowing locks have received a significant chop. Part of the reason was that the length became a bit of a nuisance in hot, humid conditions.

“Honestly, I don’t know exactly [how long it had been]. But I think mostly two years, one and a half,” Musetti said of the time since his last haircut.. “I remember US Open 2021, I had probably the longest hair that I’ve had. Then I cut it a little bit, but it was still long.”

Musetti will try to continue his run when he faces 2021 Toronto champion Daniil Medvedev. It will be their first Lexus ATP Head2Head clash and an opportunity for the Italian to make his third ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final. There is one thing in particular the two-time Next Gen ATP Finals competitor likes about the World No. 3’s game.

“Probably his defensive skill and let’s say the transition that he has from a defensive position to an offensive position,” Musetti said.

The 16th seed knows he will need to be at his best to challenge the six-time Masters 1000 champion.

“It’s going to be for sure a tough match,” Musetti said. “But hopefully, I can take the centre court and enjoy the match.

“We’ve practised a few times back in the day, sometimes in [the] Mouratoglou [Academy]. We were practising there and sometimes in Monte-Carlo. He’s a nice guy and he’s really talented. For sure, he knows how to play here. I think it will be a nice test for me.”

Hubert Hurkacz and Mate Pavic upset top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski on Wednesday at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers.

The Polish-Croatian pair fired 14 aces to defeat the defending champions 6-7(2), 7-6(2), 10-5 and book their ticket to the Toronto quarter-finals. Koolhof served for the match at 6-5 in the second set before Hurkacz and Pavic mounted a comeback, with the 26-year-old Pole ripping a forehand return winner on break point to push the Dutch-British team to a second-set tie-break. 

Hurkacz and Pavic will next meet Nicolas Mahut and Vasek Pospisil or Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz. Koolhof and Skupski, who are No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Teams Rankings, were competing in their first match since collecting the Wimbledon title.

Second seeds Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek didn’t fare any better, falling 6-3, 7-6(4) to Marcelo Arevalo and Jean-Julien Rojer in their first outing as a pair since a second-round exit at Wimbledon.

In other doubles action, eighth seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin downed Tallon Griekspoor and Jiri Lehecka 6-2, 6-7(6), 10-6 to maintain their form following last week’s triumph in Los Cabos. The Mexican-French duo also won the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami and in Marseille earlier this season.

Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen moved past Marcelo Melo and John Peers 7-6(6), 2-6, 10-7 and seventh seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos reached the last eight after Fabrice Martin and Andreas Mies retired at 4-4.

Carlos Alcaraz survived a competitive battle with Ben Shelton Wednesday night in Toronto in his first outing since winning Wimbledon, fending off his fellow #NextGenATP star to reach the third round of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers.

With Shelton committed to an aggressive gameplan and the top-seeded Spaniard making more errors than normal, little separated the players for the majority of the match, save for one break of serve in the fourth game.

That was the last break point Alcaraz would earn, but he ultimately claimed a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory to extend his winning streak to 13 matches, dating back to his title run at Queen’s.

Alcaraz, who counts ATP Masters 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid among his six titles this season, improved to 18-2 at the Masters 1000 level this season. He is looking for his fifth title at this level.

Alcaraz next faces big-serving Pole Hubert Hurkacz, who rallied from a set down to defeat Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 5-7, 6-3, 6-0, firing 25 aces in the process.

More to follow…

Mackenzie McDonald caused one of the biggest upsets of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers on Wednesday when he eliminated sixth seed Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-3 in Toronto.

The American will now have a chance to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final when he plays former World No. 3 Milos Raonic on Thursday. ATPTour.com caught up with the former UCLA star last month to learn more about his interests off the court.

If you could have dinner with three people, who would they be and why?
I wish I could go Kobe Bryant. Kobe, Bob Marley and John Wooden, UCLA legend.   

What did you admire about Kobe?
Everything. The guy is one of my favourite competitors of all time.   

If you could switch places with one person for a day who would it be?
LeBron James.

What is your favourite non-tennis memory?
Buying my first car. Pretty good for me. 23 years old, bought my first car.   

What’s your favourite tennis memory?
Fourth round at Wimby. Also winning NCAA singles and doubles [titles] on the same day.   

If you could achieve one thing what would it be?
Live a long life. I want to live [to] 100, healthy.   

As a tennis player?   
As a tennis player, I’d like to win a Slam.   

What’s the coolest perk of being a pro tennis player?   
Free stuff. [The coolest thing I’ve done] is getting to go to the offseason with Roger [Federer] in Dubai.

It was cool. [Novak] Djokovic is a legend now but I think Roger is the pinnacle to the sport. Nicest guy off the court, too. So I’m happy his character is so high.    

What was your pinch-me moment on Tour?
[Reaching] the fourth round of a Slam for the first time, Wimbledon.

Gael Monfils in full flight can be a hard juggernaut to stop — as Stefanos Tsitsipas found out Wednesday at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers.

The Frenchman delivered a dazzling second-round display to upset the fourth-seeded Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-3 at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Toronto. An energised Monfils, playing just his 11th match of the year due to injury, produced several moments of breathtaking power and skill en route to a one-hour, 25-minute triumph.

Wednesday’s win was Monfils’ 350th tour-level triumph on hard courts and can be seen as a statement that the 36-year-old is getting back to his crowd-pleasing best after limited appearances in 2023. The Frenchman converted three of six break points he earned to down Tsitsipas, an ATP 250 champion in Los Cabos just four days ago.

“I knew that Stef had a lot of confidence,” said Monfils after the match. “He would try to go for his shots. I tried to put a lot of balls in, tried to hit quite heavy and not let him dictate too much. I think I did it well.”

Highlights of Monfils’ performance included a trademark jumping forehand in the eighth game of the first set and a 188 km/h forehand winner to bring up set point two games later. It was Monfils’ first win against a Top 5 opponent since he defeated then-World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells last year.

Monfils struggled to finish off Christopher Eubanks in his Toronto opener, being forced to a third set by the American after letting slip two match points. There were no such issues against Tsitsipas, as he confidently levelled the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 2-2.

“It’s always the same. Stay very calm in the head and go for a simple choice,” said Monfils when asked about closing out the match against the Greek. “Maybe I was too simple on the first match point [today] because I could maybe have un leashed one forehand more, but he did it before me. To be honest, I just tried to be cool and try to do what I did during the match. No panic, in a way.”

A two-time semi-finalist at the Canadian Masters 1000 event, Monfils will take on Sebastian Korda or Aleksandar Vukic in the third round.

Ben Shelton remembers first hearing about Carlos Alcaraz when he was 14. The American did not travel internationally as a junior, but word was spreading about the Spanish teen.

“Some of the Americans in the United States were talking about, ‘This is the best 14-year-old in the world’, and I hadn’t really gotten into tennis yet. I was no good,” Shelton, who is the same age as Alcaraz, told a small group of media on Tuesday evening in Toronto.

“But I definitely watched a few clips of him at that age and couldn’t believe how polished of a player [he was], how many skills he had at such a young age. He’s been out here grinding on the international tour for a few years now. and this is my first [full] year out here. So I’m looking forward to playing a little bit of catchup.”

The lefty will have that opportunity on Wednesday evening when he faces World No. 1 Alcaraz in the second round of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers. It will be the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head clash.

Shelton has established himself as an aggressive, energetic player who enjoys involving the fans in his matches. Having competed in college tennis at the University of Florida, the American has plenty of experience in raucous atmospheres.

“I love these types of moments, these types of matches, being able to play against top guys, the best players in the world [on] the biggest courts, the biggest stages in front of the biggest crowds,” Shelton said. “So I’m really, really excited to be able to have the opportunity tomorrow and glad that win tonight gave me that opportunity.”

The son of former World No. 55 Bryan Shelton, who is now his full-time coach, Ben was not looking past his first-round opponent in Toronto. He ousted Bernabe Zapata Miralles in two tight sets Tuesday evening.

But Zapata Miralles’ countryman, Alcaraz, presents an entirely different set of challenges for Shelton. The top seed is 47-4 on the season and fresh off his first Wimbledon title.

What does Shelton feel makes Alcaraz such a difficult opponent to face?

“I think he’s really good at applying pressure, taking away time and playing really aggressive tennis,” Shelton said. “He’s a great mover and I’m going to have to try to use my strengths to the best of my ability and put together a good gameplan.”

An Australian Open quarter-finalist this year, Shelton has proven his ability to rise to the occasion on the world’s biggest stages. He is also aware that he will be playing an opponent in Alcaraz who had done the same and has already made a sizable impact on and off the sport.

“I think it’s pretty great to see everything that he’s done so far. [He is] definitely the present and future of tennis,” Shelton said. “So [it is] really cool to be a part of this era and be at tournaments at the same time as him.

“But at the same time, we put on our pants the same way every single morning, and I’m really looking forward to a battle tomorrow.”

“He runs like literally there’s no tomorrow!”

Stefanos Tsitsipas was clear, if he could build a perfect player, he would select the movement of… Carlos Alcaraz!

“I’ve never seen a player run like this!” Tsitsipas said in the latest edition of ATP Uncovered’s ‘Build Your Player’ series.

For groundstrokes, the Greek cracked a laugh when he answered whose forehand he would select, stating, “Have you seen his forehand? It’s a hammer!” Who did he say? The 24-year-old then selected one of his rival’s backhands.

Only one player received more than one nomination from Tsitsipas. Watch the full video above to find out who it was, how Tsitsipas’ own celebrations fit into his perfect player, his surprise physical stamina pick and more.