STUTTGART
The singles and doubles finals at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart will both feature Canadians. Could we be on course for a Canadian double?
A much-anticipated semi-final clash between 18-year-old Félix Auger-Aliassime and Canadian No. 1 Milos Raonic unfortunately never took place, as Raonic had to withdraw from the match due to injury.
🗣 @milosraonic: "It's hard for me to accept this situation but it is how it is.
"But I'm happy that Felix has an opportunity to win his first title, so I wish him all the best." 🙏🇨🇦#MercedesCup @felixtennis pic.twitter.com/ofKe9qtO9b
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 15, 2019
Raonic addressed the crowd alongside his compatriot after the walkover was announced, regretting the decision but knowing, with Wimbledon around the corner, that taking care of his body is paramount. The withdrawal sends Auger-Aliassime into his third final of the year following championship matches in Rio (l. to Djere) and Lyon (l. to Paire), and gives the Montreal native a crucial day’s rest following a three-set epic against Dustin Brown in the quarter-finals.
Denis Shapovalov will also play on finals day in Stuttgart as he and Rohan Bopanna overcame a tricky test in the form of Nick Kyrgios and good friend Matt Reid in the semi-finals, winning 6-3, 6-4 and not once facing break point.
In the final, the Canadian-Indian duo will face top seeds John Peers and Bruno Soares in their first career head-to-head encounter.
