Photo : @AbiertoLosCabos
Disappointed, like everyone, about the turn of events but not at all worried about the future.
That was Réjean Genois’ perspective the day after Félix was eliminated from the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.
Before the tournament got started, he predicted that the 22-year-old World No.9 would win not only a few matches but the entire tournament.
Was there too much pressure? No.
We all know how things went down. After two flawless matches, Félix left his serve and his confidence in the locker room in his 1-2, 2-6 quarterfinal loss to Casper Ruud.
Unrecognizable, he lost ten games in a row.
“It’s as if Félix had a huge pebble in his shoe,” said the former No.76 and outgoing president of Tennis Québec after 33 years.
“I watch the players. They’re so good that, when things start to go wrong, it happens so quickly, just like it did with Félix,” he added.
Twenty-one unforced errors and four double faults and it was over in 74 minutes for Félix. The crowd was stunned. That’s how beloved he is.
What made him suddenly lose his touch? Was there too much pressure?
“Félix didn’t shock us. He was facing a rival who was chomping at the bit and doing everything right. Bad days happen,” he explained.
The art of bouncing back
As we chatted, Réjean said he’d still choose Félix to win the whole thing at IGA Stadium. He believes it’ll happen one day.
“Félix will get over it. He’s done it before,” he said.
He points to Toronto 2021, when Auger-Aliassime played what may be his worst match in two years against Dusan Lajovic, 4-6, 5-7.
“Not long after he got as far as the semifinals of the US Open in New York. And that can happen again, you know.”
Beatriz Haddad Maia goes to Granby
Under the heading of news that slipped under the radar much too quickly is the performance of No.24 Beatriz Haddad Maia, who knocked out World No. Iga Swiatek in the third round in Toronto.
It also makes for great publicity for Alain Faucher and the National Bank Championships in Granby.
The Brazilian sensation is the top seed at the WTA 250 at the end of the month.
By way of Drummondville
Did you know that Daniel Evans is a former champion in Drummondville? He won the Challenger in 2016.
