It has been a long time since Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov found themselves on opposite sides of the net in an ATP Tour match, but that wait could end later this week in Rome.
The last major tuneup event ahead of Roland-Garros is taking place this week and for the Canadian men, only one has a chance of making it to round three.
Here’s what you need to know.
What to Watch: Clash of Canadians in Rome Round Two
The Canadian focus when it comes to the men’s draw at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia will be directly on the top of the second quarter, where No. 4 seed Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov could meet in the second round.
It is hardly a guarantee that the only two Canadians in the men’s draw will face off, as Shapovalov has a very difficult first-round clash with Mariano Navone. If he does best the Argentine, the Richmond Hillian will meet his countryman in round two. It would be their first meeting in four and a half years (Stockholm in October 2021). Their head-to-head is tied 3-3, although Auger-Aliassime has won both previous meetings on clay in straight sets.
If Navone does not spoil the Canadian party and one of the Canucks gets through, they are projected for a blockbuster third-round clash with Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca. No. 14 Valentin Vacherot is the projected fourth-round opponent, with No. 7 Daniil Medvedev and No. 10 Flavio Cobolli among possible quarter-final opponents. They are in the top half of the draw with the red-hot world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Gabriel Diallo withdrew from Rome after having retired in his opening match in Madrid.
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Just like the previous combined 1000 event in Madrid, five Canadians received direct entry into the main draw in Rome, albeit a different five and this time only three are seeded. Victoria Mboko (No. 10) and Leylah Annie Fernandez (No. 25) are the seeds on the women’s side, while Bianca Andreescu received a wildcard.
Fernandez is coming in hot after her strong performance last week in Madrid. She will look to keep rolling in Rome against either Oksana Selekhmeteva or a qualifier in the second round after a bye. In round three, she is expected to face world No. 5 Jessica Pegula.
Mboko will open against an Italian no matter what, either Lisa Pigato or Tyra Caterina Grant. Her round-three match could be tricky no matter what as her potential opponents are 17th seed Madison Keys, Peyton Stearns, or Janice Tjen. No. 7 Elina Svitolina or recent Madrid semifinalist Hailey Baptiste are potential round four opponents.
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Andreescu’s first-round match will be a clash of former major champions with Sofia Kenin. It will be their second early-round meeting of the clay swing, with Kenin having won their second-round clash in Charleston in April. A win for the Canadian would set up a round-two match with No. 12 seed Belinda Bencic.
The doubles draws have not yet been released.
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In Case You Missed It: Fernandez Finally Goes Deep in Madrid
It had been a while since Leylah Annie Fernandez found herself in the quarter-finals of a Big event. 20 months after reaching the last eight in Cincinnati, the Lavalloise was back among the best at the WTA 1000 Mutua Madrid Open last week.
She ended her WTA 1000 quarter-final drought with wins over Julia Grabher, Iva Jovic, and Anne Li to reach the final eight in the Spanish capital, where she was knocked out in two tight sets by world No. 8 Mirra Andreeva.
Félix Auger-Aliassime was the only other Canadian to win a match in Madrid, going out in round three against Alexander Blockx.
Under the Radar:
It was another quiet week for the Canadians on the secondary circuits, with Justin Boulais’ semifinal run at the ITF M25 in Quinta do Lago, Portugal, being the best result by a Canuck.
Bianca Andreescu contested her first tournament on the European red dirt last week at the WTA 125 event in Saint Malo, France, but was beaten in three sets in the second round by Yue Yuan.
You can follow the Canadians in action every week here.
Feature Photo : Martin Sidorjak
