The draw for Montreal was performed on Friday afternoon. After a first round bye, Rafael Nadal will play the winner of a match between a qualifier and Borna Coric. He could face John Isner in the third round, prior to a quarter-final against Milos Raonic.
Rafa’s potential route to the final:
- First round: Bye
- Second round: Borna Coric
- Third round: John Isner or Juan Martin del Potro
- Quarter-final: Milos Raonic
- Semi-final: Alexander Zverev
- Final: Roger Federer
If the men play to seed the quarter-final line up will be:
- Rafael Nadal vs. Milos Raonic
- Alexander Zverev vs. Milos Raonic
- Dominic Thiem vs. Grigor Dimitrov
- Roger Federer vs Kei Nishikori
Rafa has won the Canadian title three times, most recently at Coupe Rogers in 2013.
Our champ needs to reach the semi-finals to return to the top spot in the ATP Rankings. Our champ was last No. 1 in June 2014. He has spent a total of 141 weeks at No. 1.
Good luck Rafa! VAMOS!!
Ranier: Replying here because there’s no “reply” option on your last reply to me. I remember this about this site, wonder why?
Anyway, to your post that started “Totally agree on the head thing.” It’s even more than the head with Fed because Fed really did improve what Rafa has exploited in the past (Rafa’s ability to go high to Fed’s BH and get weak returns or no returns) so I think Rafa is a bit at a loss on how to play Fed.
We saw in Miami he went to the FH and that was even worse. It’s a problem to be solved. I wish Moya was here–I think MOya’s presence makes a difference, tactically and psychologically.
But i do think Rafa solved the Djok problem. It’s hard to say for sure because Djok was so subpar this year, but Rafa now has a weaponized BH, he is not as reliant on the ISO CC FH, which Djok could handle quite easily.
Djok is out all year anyway, so irrelevant for now.
Yes, MOntreal much better chances than Cincy.
As for whether AZ or Nick would be the tougher opponent, we can let them decide. Whoever comes through their match will be the better of the two at this time. Nick has the magic; but AZ is so much stronger mentally.
I hate all these big servers. Even the dazzling ones. DOn’t mind it when they play each other as much.
Yeah, it’s both game wise and mentality wise but I think it has more to do with the mentality and tactics than the game. Rafa played too tense in the AO final and uncharacteristically, though not that rarely, choked in the 5th set.
If he hadn’t choked he might still have lost but the feeling would have been different. Fed’s BH was improved but other aspects of his game had clearly declined like his FH – his biggest weapon, speed and movement. But the most important thing was his mentality. Also being much fresher than Rafa cetainly helped.
After such a tough loss, especially against someone who he used to beat, we all know it must have affected Rafa’s mentality quite badly and that he needed time to recover. It’s a bit unlucky for him that he had to play Fed again too soon after that but then again, Fed won all those matches fair and square and Rafa only had himself to blame.
Now I’m very curious to see how Rafa will play Fed after Fed won Wimby and whether he can play at least a bit looser because I can’t see him winning an extremely confident and a bit lucky Fed playing conservatively, no matter how consistently well.
I don’t enjoy big servers as well but then again it’s not their fault that they know how to develop their serve into a weapon. One reason Rafa doesn’t have a great serve in accordance with his athleticism, power and talent and is not a top-tier in ROS is because he’s too nervy. He can be incredibly strong mentally in big moments but generally he’s much more nervy than, say, Fed or Djokovic in the match imo. I can easily get nervy with him if I watch him too closely when he’s preparing to serve. So I have learnt to distract myself more to be able to be more relaxed and enjoy the match more.
Sometimes I feel like it’s not easy to be a Rafa fan. If Fed or Sampras was my favourite I think I would have “easier” time watching their matches, regardless of the result. :p
I so want Rafa to unveil his Power throughout the tournament and win this whole thing to be a no.1 contender for Us open bcz he would be no.1 by then.I really want That he beats Roger in straight sets before us open so he breathes easily and be strong on his mental aspect….. Vamosssssss Rafa 😎😍😘😋
Tennis Connected, August 6, 2017: “The Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who was scheduled to play his first match during the Tuesday afternoon session, will in fact make his debut Wednesday evening at Rogers Cup.”
Rafa got a seriously nasty draw, as others have noted.
The only good thing I can say about it is that so many of the dangerous players are in Zverev’s quarter–Querry Anderson Lyrgious and AZ–that he will only have to play one of them.
It will be AZ.
I watched AZ today against Anderson and he was lethal. He is the most dangerous player in this tournament for Rafa after or perhaps equal to Fed. AZ did didley squat against Fed in halle and I kind of lost faith in him. LOL!
Rafa should get past Raonic who hasn’t been playing well all year. If he gets Goffin instead that will be worse, I think.
He should manage ISner.
No, AZ is the big threat, then after that the holy Federer. Federer really wasn’t that incredible on grass, but with Djok out and Murray playing poorly and potential upstart NK also injured and playing poorly, etc. etc. he was never properly tested.
I do not want to see another loss to Fed. Anything but that please!
I think Fed is still the ultimate opponent for Rafa right now. As impressive as Zverev might be atm and that he pushed Rafa in their 2 meetings on HC, Fed is still another story. Plus you need take into account the DC draw and his opponent in the final.
Granted he’s improving, but so is Rafa (well, game wise). In the AO match Rafa should have been more clutch and converted more BPs which he had many before it went to extreme, when he finally tried to enjoy the game and not to think abt the score by his own admission, thinking both players deserved to win and that resulted in him playing better and converting BPs and Zverev finally cracked after fighting very impressively for more than 4 sets.
After that match I was finally impressed by Zverev’s mentality and thought he’s the real deal. Mentality is such a huge part in tennis.
Kyrgios I’m really curious to see his form. It feels like forever since he last played well and committedly. Another 3rd round between him and Zverev would be interesting.
Yes true, re Anderson (not being a top drawer opponent) just that AZ was completely in another league playing him today.
And yes Fed is the bigger threat, but he comes after. Fed is in Rafa’s head at this point, that is a problem.
AZ has been playing for some time like he expects to win (except against Fed!) His confidence and mental stability at his age is astonishing.
True about Kyrgios. For awhile (Miami) he looked like he was on his way, then more injuries, and maybe more mental issues.
There was a very good article in the New Yorker, July 10, about Nick, that explained his often baffling attitude towards tennis.
Would really look forward to a clash of Nick and Sasha, and glad Rafa only has to play one of them.
Totally agree on the head thing. That’s what I was afraid before their IW and Miami encouters. It’s very much like the case with Djokovic. It’s not like his game couldn’t beat the “new” Djokovic and Fed. It’s more about mentality. Rafa usually needs time. Well, he “always” needs time. It usually doesn’t do good to him if he has to play the one that beat him in some certain way not long ago again too soon, or even in the same year in some cases. Hopefully this time he will “solve” the Fed’s problem much faster. I have to admit he has little chance at Cincy so Montreal is crucial.
Kyrgios if he meets and wins against Zverev I think might be even a tougher opponent for Rafa, if he really wants to go deep.
Rafa will play on Wednesday instead of Tuesday as scheduled, so one more day of waiting…
Rafa will play second on Centre Court Tuesday. He practised two three-hour sessions yesterday with Bautista and Ramos which I think was a bit too intense and in fact he had a worrying moment with his ankle. He seemed fine when he walked out though.
He just finished his first practice session today not long ago with Khachanov. I think he should prioritise practising with big servers and players who take the ball early and maybe vary his hitting partners more as he’s been hitting with his countrymen a bit too much over the years IMO.
I am curious: where are you getting Tuesday’s Sched from? It’s not on the Rogers cup website …
From a preview. Previews usually include the mach time before the official Order of Play is released.
Vamos Rafa buena suerte en todo el torneo. tu eres un verdadero champion y si pierdes no importa para la USO debes estar en forma y muy saludable,
Diane Kurilof – agree with every word you say. Federer favouritism has gone on for YEARS. I thought I was the only person who noticed!!
Hi Michele,
How are you? I really don’t think we are alone with this observation.
When I saw this draw I said to myself; here we go again, Rafa gets to swim with the sharks while Roger gets to swim with the guppies. Terribly unbalanced draw
in Roger’s favor once again. And Rafa is the higher-ranked player this time. Go figure.
Part of Rafa’s briliance is his ability to problem-solve depending on his opponent.
Roger never has to problem solve and make any adjustments when he faces the
same opponents with the same results. After the same patterns with the draws
you can’t help but wonder why Roger is never battle tested or challenged as Rafa always is!
NO you are totally not alone in that observation, I have been posting for years on the Federer bias in the media–we did see preferential treatment at Wimbledon, and now he gets this ultimate cupcake draw.
Draws aren’t fixed but still–Roger has been insanely lucky of late–Cilic’s blisters (yes, Cilic had the potential to have done something to Roger at Wimb–I did not think he was unbeatable at all).
And as you write, all the sharks are in Rafa’s half–there is virtually no upset potential in Roger’s half unless Fed is having a terrible day, but perhaps in the quarters against Thiem. Lately, Thiem has not been fully on.
The one I worry about for Rafa is Zverev. But if Rafa gets that far at least he goes to #1, and maybe he can beat AZ too. Raonic has not been playing so well lately.
Here’s hoping.
Wow, now I know why they call this tournament, “Rogers Cup”. That draw
just delivered Roger an early 36th birthday present. I agree, cupcake draw.
Always the same opponents Roger beats. No threats, dangers, big servers or hitters, heaveyweights or even super-hungry next gen guys! Unbelievable. Of course that’s Rafa’s draw as always.
I have every confidence in Rafa who is an amazing champion but the contrasts in their draws are getting ridiculous in every tournament. No sour grapes here I just want to see some equality here. Sometimes these draws don’t seem so random.
It was bad enough Roger got best time slots and center court status at Wimbledon so that outcome was inevitable. Even playing a compromised, injured Clilic in the final there. (How lucky can you get?) Again, this is getting ridiculous.
I’m just tired of the “media star” status Roger seems to get. I am truly happy Rafa is striving again , healthy and can’t wait to watch him play with his usual fighting spirit. But it just seems Roger just has to show up and gets another walk in the park.
Sorry, but this time I felt compelled to vent about this. Just hoping
US Open doesn’t give Roger that same preferential treatment Wimbledon did.
All the best to Rafa in Canada. Vamos!!!
Diane,
Are you serious about Roger always getting the cupcake draw? Did you watch the 2017 Miami masters early this year? That was the biggest cupcake draw ever in the history of tennis (given to Nadal). Federer has to faced all the big servers and dangerous hard-hitting players- Del Potro, Berdych, and an inspired Nick Kyrgios! Even Wawrinka, Zverev, and Thiem were all on his side of the draw. On the other hand, Nadal has to faced a bunch of nobodies-Kohlschreiber, Mahut, Sock, Fognini to get to the final. I mean look at that lineup. Are you kidding me!
I agree that Roger has the easier draw this time. But don’t say that this has always been the case. Nadal has been given cupcake draws before, none bigger than the Miami masters cupcake handed out to him.
Your choice of words say it all.
“Nadal has been given/handed cupcake draws.”
“Federer getting the cupcake draw.”
About Miami this year, it’s not Rafa’s fault that Cilic, Raonic, Nishi or even Verdasco failed to meet him.
There’s no Novak or Murray on Fed’s half either and Stan as normal just lost before he can meet the big boys in events not called Slam. Tiafoe was a foregone conclusion. Berdych is his favourite piegon which will never change and he survived that match only by a hair.
The same with the Kyrgios match which I doubt he would have won had the absolutely pathetic crowd had more self-respect. Bautista August in no way was a “tough draw” though he should have won the 1st set if he hadn’t choked when serving for the set. And then what’s left is Rafa. At that point they’re both tough draw to each other. So save me the swan song Fed got the super tough draw while Rafa “was handed” the joke one. Because:
Fognini was supposed to trouble Rafa based on their infamous meeting at the 2015 USO. Kolhs is a tricky opponent not only to Rafa but Fed also. He even bagelled Rafa on his 1000th match playing lightsout. Sure they are not as tricky as a dialed-in Kyrgios but they’re supposed to be tricky opponents TO Rafa who’s the most vunerable to upsets among B4 or even top 10 for that Matter. I’m pretty sure many then hoped Rafa would lose to them again. Rafa wasn’t handed anything. It’s just the good hardcourt players who were supposed to met him were upset early. And that his breezing through everyone else bar Kolhs and of course Fed doesn’t mean he was handed anything. If anything he was “handed” his toughest opponent possible in the final. And that’s it.
You critised others for being unfair but I don’t think you’re any fairer.
Your choice of words says it all.
“Nadal has been given/handed cupcake draws.”
“Federer has the easier draw…”
About Miami this year, it’s not Rafa’s fault that Cilic, Raonic, Nishi or even Verdasco failed to meet him.
There’s no Novak or Murray on Fed’s half either and Stan as normal just lost before he can meet the big boys in events not called Slam. Tiafoe was a foregone conclusion. Berdych is his favourite piegon which will never change and he survived that match only by a hair.
The same with the Kyrgios match which I doubt he would have won had the absolutely pathetic crowd had more self-respect. Bautista August in no way was a “tough draw” though he should have won the 1st set if he hadn’t choked when serving for the set. And then what’s left is Rafa. At that point they’re both tough draw to each other. So save me the swan song Fed got the super tough draw while Rafa “was handed” the joke one. Because:
Fognini was supposed to trouble Rafa based on their infamous meeting at the 2015 USO. Kolhs is a tricky opponent not only to Rafa but Fed also. He even bagelled Rafa on his 1000th match playing lightsout. Sure they are not as tricky as a dialed-in Kyrgios but they’re supposed to be tricky opponents TO Rafa who’s the most vunerable to upsets among B4 or even top 10 for that Matter. I’m pretty sure many then hoped Rafa would lose to them again. Rafa wasn’t handed anything. It’s just the good hardcourt players who were supposed to met him were upset early. And that his breezing through everyone else bar Kolhs and of course Fed doesn’t mean he was handed anything. If anything he was “handed” his toughest opponent possible in the final. And that’s it.
You critised others for being unfair but I don’t think you’re any better.
Oh sorry my comment was duplicated. Could you please removed the first one, RFN? Thank you.
I want to add one more thing. Had Fed breezed through all of his opponents before the final of course the perception of his draw would have been different to most. Bar the first and final match, he didn’t. In fact he wasn’t that impressive before the final and even in the final. Many including pundits and fans were more impressed with Rafa’s form before the final and thought Rafa would won that time.
Mostly it was Fed’s mental strength and of course the crowd that helped him survive all the adversaries to get to the final, where Rafa played, well, not well. Berdych, Bautista and Kyrgios all did a much better job and displayed better nerve than him. But that happens all the time. Sailing through the draw before getting a beatdown in the final and vice versa. In the end what matter are the results only.
Draws are subjective. They can fall into place or fall apart with each round, and there’s always a difference between a draw on paper and the actual form of the players in that draw AND the actual draw that plays out. Not to mention our perception changes all the time when the draw plays out or in the hindsight. Still, discussing them and being subjective are inevitable :p. It’s a part of the charm of tennis.
Hi Ben C.,
I was going to reply to your comments but Rainier’s in-depth analysis covered everything for me. (Thanks, Rainier)!
Beyond the draws, I really hope all the grand slams treat all the top players equally and with the same respect with regard to time slots and center court assignments.
Wishing all the best to all the hard-working competitors of a sport I truly love.
Cheers and enjoy watching the rest of the season as I will!
Rainier,
It’s funny how you went through great lengths just to defend Nadal’s draw at the Miami masters. Lol. I just have a simple question- which draw would you rather take at the beginning of the tournament? Seriously, is this even a question?
When the draw came out at the Miami masters, the big buzz among all the tennis commentators and analysts were how most of the big servers ended up being on the upper half of the draw- Federer, Wawrinka, Berdych, del Potro, Kyrgios, and Zverev. Nick Kyrgios, specially, was the big talk of the tournament. Why? Because he is a very talented and dangerous player. He has an awesome serve, and he was in top form at that time, having just beaten Djokovic twice in straight sets, without being broken even once on serve! Clearly, everybody wants to avoid him.
On the other side, you have Raonic and Cilic, both big servers too. Now Cilic clearly was in poor form at that time. His poor results at the beginning of the year means that nobody really feared him nor even talk about him. As for Raonic, he clearly was injured. He did not play at the Indian Wells masters. He should not have joined the Miami masters. His injury threw the seedings out of whack. Being ranked #3, and then withdrawing later, just opened up his section of the draw. You might argue that this is a misfortune, or luck on Nadal’s side, but the fact is even at the start of the tournament, everybody knew he was injured. Thus, everybody would prefer him to be on their side of the draw. Now as for Nishikori, he is not really a big server. Also, being ranked #2, does anybody really think he is the second best player in this tournament?
I was really amused at how you tried so hard to defend Nadal’s draw. The fact that Fognini or Kohlschreiber gave Nadal a hard time before is besides the point. Do you really think anybody in their right mind would prefer to face Kyrgios and Berdych, rather than Fognini and Kohlshreiber? Now you made a good point regarding the fact that you can never predict how draws play out at the start of the tournament. This is part of the beauty (or charm) of tennis =). But still, there’s no denying the fact that at the beginning of the Miami masters, if you take a poll of anybody in the tennis world regarding which side of the draw they would rather be on, I can assure you that most people (including both Federer and Nadal) would prefer to be on the bottom side of the draw.
Ben C, again you’re critising others for doing the same thing that you’re doing. You said I went to greath length “just” to defend Rafa’s draw at Miami and then you did exactly the same, only that I didn’t “just” defend Rafa’s draw or in any way it was my purpose. I was just discussing some points from your first comment to point out that you’re not that fair that you seem to think you are. It’s easy to see just by your choice of words.
Also I just wanted to share some thoughts on our perception of tough draw/easy draw and that it’s almost always subjective on different levels. Maybe you’re not familiar with my comments because they’re often longer when I really want to go into detail.
Tbh I didn’t read all of reply this time. It will only go in circle this kind of exchanging.
Rainier, Are you complaining about my criticism? So I am not allowed to criticize others to prove my point? So now its unfair to criticize people? Lol. Criticism is a healthy part of an argument. People criticize each other all the time. This is normal. Criticism helps make people better. That’s a fact. You yourself did the criticism in proving your point.
The funny thing here is now you’re just avoiding the subject. You’re not even tackling the main point of our argument. You’re just changing the subject now. Lol. Draws are indeed subjective, and most draws are. But there is such a thing as a consensus, what most people tend to favor. And at the Miami masters, we all know what the consensus is.
Ben C, I don’t avoid anything. Like I said, this kind of exchanges will only go in circle, evidenced by your twisting my words now. I have absolutely no idea how you can interpret anything I said with:
“Rainier, Are you complaining about my criticism? So I am not allowed to criticize others to prove my point?”
I tried not to mind your disminishing tone when you said you found it amusing and funny with my comment(s) and so on while having little idea of what I was trying to say. But now it’s just gotten worse with your being hostile and twising my words. So I think we should stop here.
Rainier, I wasn’t twisting your words. This is exactly what you said in your previous post- “again you’re critising others for doing the same thing that you’re doing”
I don’t know how else to interpret this but you complaining about my criticism. I tried not to mind your diminishing tone here as well.
Yes you have totally avoided the issue now. We should stop here.
The bestest of luck sweet Rafa ❤️🍀
– You can do it 🎾💪🏼😅
I’ll be cheering for you all the way from DK 🇩🇰😃👏🏻😘🤞🏻😍
VAMOOOSSS CHAMP❣️🤗🌟☀️
The bestest of luck sweet Rafa ❤️🍀
You can do it 🎾💪🏼😅
I’ll be cheering for you all the way from DK 🇩🇰😃👏🏻😘🤞🏻😍
VAMOOOSSS CHAMP❣️🤗🌟☀️
– Oops sorry for the duplicate message… 🤔😁😉
I’ll be cherring A LOT!! 😄👏🏻🍀❤️
all the very best rafa,you cannot do more than your best will be watching you vamos rafa.
Rafa s arrival at the Montreal airport is good 😀and his first training Friday. There are 6 hours time space between Paris and Montreal, for us in Paris the commentery is in French, a strange accent they have there, very nasal. The French conquered that part of Canada and the Spanish South America, when our european players go there they are well at home speaking their native language. Good luck to Rafa, would have liked him to win Acapulco. 😊 Fiona in Paris
Raffa I am quite sure your motto is one day at a time.
Sufficient to deal deal with one day at a time.
Great to see you in Montreal safe and healthy and rested, and all the best for your first match,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
One day at a time, Rafa. Have a great tournament. As always, we’ll be there for you!
Come on Rafa you can win this. I have all the fairh in the world for you. Nadal #1 in the world🎾
Good luck Rafa.
Tough dran but Rafa can do it. Vamos champ <3
Kyrgios, A Zverev, Raonic, Del Potro, Tsonga, Goffin, Muller, Querrey, Isner… all in Rafa’s half. Lots of servebots and good hardcourters. Chances to take ‘revenge’ on Querrey/Muller or even both? Zverev will show up but a dialed-in Kyrgios will be more dangerous. Even with Djokovic, Murray, Stan and Cilic all out, tough draw for Rafa or anyone for that matter for sure.
Fed’s half, well, Thiem is not that good on hard court despite being the 3rd seed. Berdych, Nishi and Monfils won’t bother him and I woud trade all of them for one Zverev or Kyrgios or even Del Potro if he has recovered well for Rafa’s half. All in all another cupcake draw for Fed.
He hasn’t played Canada since 2011 and the last time he won it was 2006. It seems Rafa, Novak and Murray all like the courts there better. But now without Murray and Novak and with a questionmarked Rafa in terms of his match-up with Fed plus an easy draw at least on paper, I think Fed has a very good chance to win this tourney. And Cinci we all know is his pet and favourite tourney.
I know we all hope for another 2013 year for Rafa but the circumstances now are different. To be honest I would be very surprised if Rafa can make it, and I would love nothing more if he did it (well, bar another Wimby title). History shows Rafa rarely does well this second half of the season as well. So I’ll be keeping my expectation “not high” while still of course hoping for the best. Honestly I don’t care for the word no1 ranking. I just want him to be healthy and win important titles, especially against his biggest rivals.
Hopefully Moya will be with him at the USO even though it’s not in the contract. Toni will be there for sure. But none of them accompanies Rafa to Montreal and Cinci. Another reason for my “managed expectation”.
Rafa, win or lose, please stay healthy for the USO and try to play more freely. We’re missing you so much.
Can’t wait!
Oh sorry I forgot. Muller and Querry will face off in the 1st round and one of them can meet Rafa in the semis only. So it’s still unlikely anyway though I think it would do good to Rafa if he can make his ‘revenge’. :p
Rafa vs Roger at final .
Ugh, I think Rafa got the tougher draw. Roger’s is a cupcake. I believe the quarters name with Zverev should be Tsonga, not Raonic. I do understand that with Novak, Andy, Marin and Stan not playing, I should probably stay quiet! I do want Rafa to regain the number one spot. I just did not think that he would.
Tough draw. Can’t wait to watch Rafa play again as it feels like Wimbledon was a long time ago! Good luck and vamos Rafa!