Del Potro Beats Isner In Canada, Kyrgios Wins; Sock, Thiem Tuesday

Juan Martin del Potro ended the recent run of John Isner stopping the American’s 8-match win streak with a 7-5, 7-5 win in the Canadian Open first round.

“It’s amazing for me,” said del Potro.” I missed this tournament a lot. I couldn’t play the last editions because of my wrist. But now I’m in good shape. I have the chance to play after many years, and I started by winning a good match against Isner.”

Del Potro improves to 6-2 against Isner who had won 16 straight sets after Newport and Atlanta titles.

“He has a great serve. His movements from the baseline are getting better. It’s, of course, a tough first round for both of us. It could be a quarter-final, could be a semi-final of any tournament,” del Potro said. “But we play today, and I got lucky to win tonight. Hopefully I can get another draw in the next tournament because nobody wants to play against John in the first round.”

And the Argentine says he’s healthy!

“I’m healthy. I’m getting better week by week,” he added. “I have the chance to play this tournament in a good shape after many years, which is nice for me. I think, looking forward to playing in New York, it’s a great preparations this tournament. The next week, as well. Also I love to play these tournaments before New York.”

After three straight retirements, Nick Kyrgios finally got a win cruising past Viktor Troicki 6-1, 6-2.

“I’ve been struggling the last couple months with a bunch of things,” Kyrgios said. “I just have to keep doing the right things. I’m getting a lot of treatment, trying to do my rehab every day. I’m doing everything I can.”

A semifinalist a year ago, Gael Monfils came from a set down to deny Steve Johnson 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-1. Richard Gasquet, Andrian Mannarino and Benoit Paire were other French winners, but Lucas Pouille was upset by 20-year-old American Jared Donaldson in two tiebreakers.

“I think I played really well. My serve was great, so that really helped me to play first-strike tennis. Both tie-breaks were really competitive. The first one I came back on him a little bit, and the second one was just nip and tuck. Everything was so close,” Donaldson said. “I’m just happy I was able to get through it in two sets. I feel like I focused really well.”

David Ferrer also ousted brit Kyle Edmund and Peter Polansky downed former semifinalist Vasek Pospisil. Next for Polansky is Roger Federer tomorrow.

On tap today, Tomas Berdych, Jack Sock and Dominic Thiem headline play.

TUESDAY MONTREAL SCHEDULE
COURT CENTRAL start 12:30 pm
N. Basilashvili (GEO) vs [10] T. Berdych (CZE)

Not Before 2:30 pm
[WC] D. Shapovalov (CAN) vs R. Dutra Silva (BRA)

Not Before 6:30 pm
[15] J. Sock (USA) vs [Q] P. Herbert (FRA)
D. Schwartzman (ARG) vs [3] D. Thiem (AUT)