Intriguing first-round matchups for Canadians at Australian Open
A most unique Australian Open offers several intriguing storylines for the seven Canadians in the singles field. Bianca Andreescu s long-awaited return tops the list. There s a sizzler of a first-round matchup on tap between young guns Denis Shapovalov and Jannik Sinner.
The Canadian Press Denis Shapovalov , The Canadian Press
A most unique Australian Open offers several intriguing storylines for the seven Canadians in the singles field.
Bianca Andreescu s long-awaited return tops the list. There s a sizzler of a first-round matchup on tap between young guns Denis Shapovalov and Jannik Sinner.
Rebecca Marino s comeback continues with her first Grand Slam appearance since 2013. Youngster Leylah Annie Fernandez is eager to show she s the real deal.
13 Jan 2021 - 10:11
Serbia s Viktor Troicki in action.
The Peninsula
Doha: Former world No.12 Viktor Troicki is one step away from reaching the main draw of the 2021 Australian Open after dispatching American Ulises Blanch, 22, in straight-sets 7-5, 6-3 yesterday in the second round of the ongoing men’s qualifiers being held at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.
The 34-year-old Serbian, who won the inaugural ATP Cup in 2020, becoming the first player in history to win all three major team competitions (Davis Cup in 2010 and World Team Cup in 2009 and 2012), dispatched his 246-ranked younger opponent in 94 minutes.
Troicki won 89 percent of first serves and 65 percent of the second in the highly-entertaining encounter as he booked his ticket against Germany’s Cedrik-Marcel Stebe in today’s final round match.
Tour veterans Stakhovsky and Troicki also stamp their Melbourne tickets
Carlos Alcaraz will take his place in the Australian Open main draw next month after successfully qualifying on Wednesday in Doha.
The 17-year-old Spaniard got off to strong starts in both sets to beat second-seeded Bolivian Hugo Dellien 6-2, 6-3. Alcaraz won 73 per cent of his first-service points to become the first male player born in 2003 to qualify for a Grand Slam championship.
The #NextGenATP Spaniard is the youngest player inside the Top 200 of the FedEx ATP Rankings and has built upon an impressive finish to the 2020 season. Across his final six ATP Challenger Tour events in 2020, Alcaraz compiled a 20-3 record and won three trophies from four finals.