Big Men Cilic, Isner, Zverev Advance In Montreal, Kyrgios Goes Down; Raonic v Auger-Aliassime Wed.

Nick Kyrgios could continue his Washington run Tuesday night in Montreal where the electric Australian dropped the last two games of the match after a rain delay and lost to Kyle Edmund 6-3, 6-4. Kyrgios was broken serving 3-4 in the first then in the second was broken at love at 4-all.

“It was obviously very tricky playing Nick… He’s got a very good serve, probably one of the best on Tour. It’s a mini battle in itself, trying to get that back,” Edmund said. “I managed my game well, I served very well today. I thought I just controlled the points with balls in play. It was a really good win for me.”

Big men Marin Cilic and John Isner both were victorious. Cilic survived 19 aces to ease past Bradley Klahn 6-3, 7-6(7) while Isner went the distance prevailing in a final set breaker over Jordan Thompson.

The best match of the day belonged to two Canadians as local boy Felix Auger-Aliassime edged his doubles partner Vasek Pospisil 6-2, 6-7(3), 7-6(3). The teen escaped a 0-30 hole serving 4-all in the third, then ran away with the breaker.

“Losing those two next points, probably the match would have been over. What else can you do than just give it all? I tried to find a good first serve, play to win. That’s what I was able to do,” Auger-Aliassime said.

“When your back is against the wall, you usually show up with something good. I think in any case in life, that’s what you do. If you look at a lot of players, especially great players, whenever they need to, they usually play good points, serve well. I think I found that extra energy in me to serve well those four points and get that game.”

Auger-Alissiame now gets a much-anticipated showdown with another countryman, Milos Raonic, tomorrow. Raonic beat him at Indian Wells in 2018.

“Even if I look at myself physically back then, I changed a lot,” FAA said looking back. “Mentally, as well. For sure I have the confidence that I can win against these types of players. I’m not as nervous stepping on these big courts. That’s also a big change.

“I think the overall trust in my game is much more different than before. I think overall everything in my game has improved, from the groundstrokes, my return, my serve.”

Clay king Guido Pella upset David Goffin and Hubert Hurkacz knocked out Taylor Fritz.

Dan Evans was also a winner beating Atlanta champ Alex De Minaur. Up next for Evans is 4-time winner Rafael Nadal tomorrow.

No. 13 seed Nikolaz Basilashvili was the first player into the third round after he beat Jan-Lennard Struff in three sets. 2017 champion Alexander Zverev will now face the Georgian following his 7-6, 6-4 victory over Cameron Norrie.

And Andy Murray teamed with Feliciano Lopez, who lost earlier in the day, to win their doubles opener against the No. 2 seeds Kubot/Melo 11-9 in the super breaker.

Also on tap Wednesday, Dominic Thiem will seek his first Canadian win against Denis Shapovalov, Richard Gasquet clashes with Kei Nishikori and 2018 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas opens play against Hurkacz.

WEDNESDAY MONTREAL SCHEDULE
Court Central Starts At 12:00 Noon
2nd Rd 1 Rafael Nadal v (Q) Daniel Evans
Not Before 2:00 Pm
2nd Rd Denis Shapovalov v 2 Dominic Thiem

Not Before 6:30 Pm
2nd Rd Felix Auger-Aliassime v 17 Milos Raonic
2nd Rd (Q) Tommy Paul v 7 Fabio Fognini

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