Preview & Schedule: Shapo, Felix Headline ATP Tour Return At W&S Open

Canadians Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime headline the opening day of the Western & Southern Open, as the ATP Tour returns from its Tour suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the final match of the day on Grandstand, Shapovalov will face 2016 champion Marin Cilic in his first tournament appearance since the Open 13 Provence in February. At that event, Shapovalov claimed his second victory in three ATP Head2Head encounters against Cilic. The 21-year-old is excited to see the return of the ATP Tour, not just for himself but also for tennis fans around the world.

”It is really awesome to see sports coming back, especially at a time like this,” said Shapovalov. “I feel like fans and people around the world are waiting for something to get a hold of, watch and support at this time.”

Auger-Aliassime will aim to build on his strong start to the 2020 ATP Tour season when he opens the day on Court 17. The Canadian, who finished as a runner-up in Rotterdam and Marseille earlier this year, will face Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round.

Andy Murray will compete at his first ATP Tour event since lifting his 46th tour-level singles trophy at the European Open in Antwerp last October. The two-time Western & Southern Open champion will meet fellow wild card Frances Tiafoe in the third match on Grandstand. Murray and Tiafoe will be meeting for the first time in their ATP Head2Head series, with Alexander Zverev awaiting the winner in the second round.

Other notable matches include Sam Querrey and Milos Raonic’s clash on Court 17 and Benoit Paire’s Court 10 meeting with Borna Coric. Alex de Minaur and Jan-Lennard Struff will contest the first match of the day on Court 11.

ORDER OF PLAY – SATURDAY 22 AUGUST 2020
GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
WTA Match

Not Before 1:00 pm
WTA Match
[WC] Frances Tiafoe vs [WC] Andy Murray

Not Before 5:00 pm
WTA Match

Not Before 7:00 pm
[12] Denis Shapovalov vs Marin Cilic

COURT 17 start 11:00 am
Nikoloz Basilashvili vs [15] Felix Auger-Aliassime
Kyle Edmund vs [PR] Kevin Anderson
WTA Match
Sam Querrey vs Milos Raonic

Not Before 7:00 pm
WTA Match

COURT 10 start 11:00 am
WTA Match
Benoit Paire vs Borna Coric
[Q] Lloyd Harris vs Taylor Fritz
[Q] Ricardas Berankis vs [WC] Tommy Paul

Click here to view the full Day 1 schedule.