In the mouth of canadian lions
By: Jan Stanski (Love4Tennis)
First big event for men belonging to the US Open Series started in Canada, precisely in Montreal. Most of the top10 players took part in this event apart Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Roger Federer who turned 32 years old during this tournament in 8th of August. Happy birthday Roger! The competition is special for Canadian players as well as for the local audience where they warmly supported their players.
The crowd behavior will let go for under the estimation of the other fans. For sure clapping and applause in the case when one of the players made double fault is something in the bad taste on tennis arenas. For the lack of surprises the fans should not complain. David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych, Juan Martin Del Potro, Andy Murray, John Isner – all these players drop out from the tournament earlier than they expected.
Canadians – Vasek Pospisil and Milos Raonic set the clash in semifinal making dream come true for the spectators in Montreal. The first one beating two Czechs (mentioned Berdych and Radek Stepanek) and The American Giant John Isner – also having a bit of lucky in quarterfinal with Nikolay Davydenko – proved that in front of his fans he is the real threat for other more experienced players.
Milos Raonic who is the one of the best servers in the world – last year #2 man in the world considering number of aces on his account, also has one of the fastest serve on the planet – showed that his skills may grow up and progress in the course of time. Raonic who is the one born in Podgorica in Montenegro is estimated as one of the most perspective players for the future. He is always dangerous on hard courts not so well so far on clay courts but it remains to be seen how good he is in the next seasons. His well performance against the Latvian Ernests Gulbis (he beaten Andy Murray in two straight sets) and a bit controversial situation versus Juan Martin Del Potro made a beat up of the heart for tennis fans. The umpire didn?t notice the obvious net touch and Raonic didn’t admit he did it. His explanation after that „theoretically he did, but practically he did not touch the net” let us ask the question where is the fair play model go to, especially if this kind of situation has happened in key moment of the game.
The both semifinals seemed to be the great spectacles. Two young Canadians (aged 22 and 23) in one and the classic rivalry of two players fighting for the glory and being the best in few last years in second. „King of clay” against „King of Aussie Open”. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The tennis mdia around the world were lately writing about the Srdjan Djokovic – father of Nole, sayings of Rafa and Novak relations (and Roger also) on and off court only fired up the atmosphere unneeded which both players know.
The both semifinals were very interesting spectacles. While Milos Raonic was more effective in third set tiebreak the same as Rafa Nadal against Novak. In the final Rafa given no chances for Milos having final number 11 when he returned on the court after long break started Wimbledon 2012. It was the fourth clash between both players ? all for Rafa. Milos Raonic advancing to the final made him being ranked top10 player and Rafa advanced for spot #3. It was ATP title #58 for the leftie from Mallorca and title #25 in Masters 1000 competition .
Jerzy Janowicz after Montreal advanced for ATP ranking spot #14. The best ranking in his career. He was the one who had his chances in confrontation against „King of clay” ultimately beaten by „El Manacori” 7:6 6:4. For the first time since 1973 in top20 there is no American player. John Isner is now ranked #22 ATP (the situation before Cincinnati). Anyway it will very interesting to see the race for ATP World Tour Finals (means eight best players of the season) in London.
While men were competing in Montreal women were fighting for the title in Toronto. Serena Williams has won title #54 in her career beating in the final Romanian – Sorana Cirstea 6:2 6:0. The final in Toronto is one of the greatest success for Sorana including Roland Garros quarterfinal. The most resistant player in the tournament for Serena was Agnieszka Radwanska in semifinal. The Pole lost the match in two straight sets: 7:6 6:4, but it was so far the best match between these two players. On the list of players with the biggest amount of titles the 31- year old American is now on the fifth position. There are still ahead of Serena ? Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Lindsey Davenport. Eugenie Bouchard is another young Canadian player (aged 19) seems to have lots of talent to prove in next years.
