Alcaraz Slays Shelton, Will Face Hurkacz In Toronto; Murray v Sinner, Medvedev v Musetti

Carlos Alcaraz proved his class taking down fellow 20-year-old Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(7-3) in his Canadian Open Toronto Masters opener.

The world No. 1 dug out of some early trouble against the hot shot American, then cruised on serve and came out ahead in the second set breaker.

Alcaraz didn’t have any highlight shots, but got enough serves back to trouble the big lefty and run his win streak to 13.

“I tried to play my level but it wasn’t easy,” Alcaraz said to the ATP after. “He was more aggressive than me from the beginning to the last ball. I tried to be solid and to get my rhythm and I’m really happy to be through to have an opportunity in the next round.

“This match will help me to be more focused in the next round, to put my game first in the beginning of the match.”

Alcaraz returns tomorrow night to take on 2022 finalist Hubert Hurkacz who topped Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia 5-7, 6-3, 6-0.

Former champion Daniil Medvedev advanced past Matteo Arnaldi 6-2, 7-5. Tomorrow, he’ll take on another Italian in Lorenzo Musetti who was a 3-set winner over Thanasi Kokkinakis.

“Pretty hot conditions like usual in US summer, so I need to get used to it. In the second set I was already tired, but that is normal. Two or three matches and you are used to it. I looking forward to the next days,” said Medvedev.

French favorite Gael Monfils pulled the upset of the day knocking of Los Cabos winner and former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-3.

In the evening, American qualifier Marcos Giron sent out No. 5 seed Holger Rune 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. And No. 6 seed Andrey Rublev took it on the chin falling to Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-3.

In the surprise result of the day, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina hammered former winner Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2.

Three-time winner Andy Murray enjoyed perhaps the win of the day toughing out Australian qualifier Max Purcell 7-6(7-2), 3-6, 7-5. It was another signature long match for Murray who broke at the end then served it out.

The former No. 1 will return Thursday to take on Jannik Sinner who ousted countryman Matteo Berrettini 6-4, 6-3. He’s now 9-0 against his countrymen at tour-level.

“It was a very tough match playing against Matteo as we know each other very well. I just tried to play my tennis but it’s tough because there’s not a lot of rhythm because he serves so well,” said Sinner. “Every break point in his service games is important and I managed to win some somehow.

“The second set was 6-3 but I was under pressure a couple of times at 0-30 and I tried to serve it out somehow. It was not an easy first match.”

And Milos Raonic kept his comeback going serving past Taro Daniel 6-4, 6-3.

Tomorrow, it’s a full day of third round play with all remaining men in action.

THURSDAY TORONTO SCHEDULE
CENTER COURT
Matches Start At: 12:30 pm
Mackenzie MCDONALD (USA) vs [WC] Milos RAONIC (CAN)

Not Before 2:00 pm
Lorenzo MUSETTI (ITA) [16] vs Daniil MEDVEDEV [2]

Not Before 7:00 pm
Carlos ALCARAZ (ESP) [1] vs Hubert HURKACZ (POL) [15]
Andy MURRAY (GBR) vs Jannik SINNER (ITA) [7]

GRANDSTAND
Matches Start At: 11:00 am
Alejandro DAVIDOVICH FOKINA (ESP) vs Casper RUUD (NOR) [3]
Taylor FRITZ (USA) [8] vs Alex DE MINAUR (AUS)

Not Before 4:30 pm
[PR] Gael MONFILS (FRA) vs [LL] Aleksandar VUKIC (AUS)
Not Before 6:00 pm
Tommy PAUL (USA) [12] vs [Q] Marcos GIRON (USA)

You Might Like:
ATP Miami Masters Preview: Alcaraz In First Big Title Defense; Medvedev, Sinner, Americans In Chase
Alcaraz, Medvedev, ATP Race Headline 16 Of Top 20 In Basel, Vienna
Djokovic, Alcaraz Race For No. 1 Resumes At Paris Masters; Last Turin Spots At Stake
Alcaraz Holds Off Hurkacz, Murray Withdraws; QFs Fri In Toronto
Australian Open Men’s Preview: Can Anyone Stop Novak Djokovic?