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Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Three seeded Canadians placed in separate quadrants at men's National Bank Open draw
At least seven Canadians will compete in the main draw Published Jul 25, 2025 • 4 minute read Felix Auger-Aliassime plays a forehand against Quentin Halys of France in their semifinal match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Getty Images TORONTO — Felix Auger-Aliassime is of two minds about the raft of withdrawals from the National Bank Open. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account On one hand, it is unfortunate that Canadian tennis fans won't get to see the likes of World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz and No. 6 Novak Djokovic compete in the Toronto tournament. But on the other, Auger-Aliassime's chances of becoming the first homegrown tennis player to win the men's Canadian Open title in the Open Era have undoubtedly improved. 'I think (tournament director) Karl (Hale) and I might have a bit of a different angle here,' Auger-Aliassime, 24, joked as the draw was revealed at Sobeys Stadium on Friday in Toronto. 'Karl doesn't step on a court to play Alcaraz. So in my case, look, every tournament, it happens. You have to consider that the year is long and obviously players will have to make decisions about their schedule. But that doesn't change my goal here. Regardless if they were here or not, I'm here to compete, play and to try to win.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Auger-Aliassime is part of a trio of seeded Canadians alongside Denis Shapovalov and Gabriel Dillo. It's the first time the country has three seeded players in the men's bracket at its national open. All were drawn into separate quadrants, meaning the earliest they could meet is the semifinals. They each receive first-round byes as part of the revamped ATP Masters 1000 tournament which will feature 96 players and take place over 12 days — running from Sunday through Aug. 7 — for the first time. Apart from the missing stars, a friendly draw and home crowd could help the Canadians' chances, too. 'I really feel the support that we have from Canadians, so that fills me with a lot of strength and desire to play well,' said Auger-Aliassime, who won Olympic mixed-doubles bronze alongside Ottawa's Gabriela Dabrowski in Paris last summer. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's nice to come back every time. It doesn't happen often, so I try to soak in every moment.' The 21st-seeded Auger-Aliassime, of Montreal, won't have to face a seeded opponent until at least Round 3. He is also staring down a potential fourth-round match against American No. 4 Ben Shelton and a possible quarterfinal against No. 7 Frances Tiafoe, also of the United States. Shapovalov, the Richmond Hill, Ont., native who is seeded 22nd, would have to get through a quadrant that includes No. 3 Lorenzo Musetti and No. 8 Casper Ruud to reach the semifinals. The 26-year-old comes home on a high after winning his second title of the season earlier in July at an ATP 250 event in Mexico. Montreal's Diallo, the 27th seed who won his first career title in June, shares a quadrant with No. 2 Taylor Fritz and No. 6 Andrey Rublev. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Germany's Alexander Zverev is the top seed in the tournament. 'You still have to win any match that comes day after day. And then obviously if you get into the later stages and these guys aren't around, OK, maybe the draw can open up,' Auger-Aliassime said. 'But at the same time, all the players are very high quality these days, so I think anybody that wins the tournament is going to have a hard time.' One of those high-quality players is Norway's Ruud, a 13-time winner on the ATP Tour and three-time Grand Slam finalist. But after winning the Madrid Open in April, Ruud has battled injuries and underperformance, including a second-round loss at the French Open and a withdrawal from Wimbledon. 'I played last week in Gstaad and didn't go as well as I hoped. But … I came early to prepare. So I'm going to try to spend every hour on the practice court well and be ready for this upcoming hard-court swing,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Likewise, Auger-Aliassime's season hasn't gone exactly as planned despite a pair of titles in January and February. He said he employed an early-season strategy that included playing more lower-level tournaments ahead of Grand Slams — but while some went well, it hasn't paid off at majors. Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C., who announced he would retire after the tournament, will face a qualifier in his first-round match and potentially meet Ruud in the second round. At least seven Canadians will compete in the main draw _ pending Saturday's qualifying — but there are no all-Canadian matchups scheduled for the first round. World No. 115 Liam Draxl of Newmarket, Ont., will take on No. 92 Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Alexis Galarneau, the Laval, Que., native ranked 198th, meets No. 65 Arthur Rinderknech of France. Nicolas Arseneault of Richmond Hill, Ont._ Canada's top-ranked junior — will make his main-draw debut against 68th-ranked Serbian Laslo Djere. A Canadian man has never won the National Bank Open singles title since the Open Era began in 1968. Robert Bedard, who won his third title in 1958, is the last to accomplish the feat. Bianca Andreescu's 2019 championship marked the first for a Canadian woman since Faye Urban in 1969. Dabrowski remains the last Canadian to win on home soil, having emerged victorious in women's doubles alongside Brazilian partner Luisa Stefani in women's doubles in 2021. Toronto & GTA Hockey Sports Toronto Blue Jays Columnists
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Emma Raducanu's terrifying stalking ordeals from sick gift to tears on court
British tennis star Emma Raducanu has been subjected to terrifying stalking incidents, including one that took place during a match in Dubai and the stalker later being blocked from buying Wimbledon tickets British tennis star Emma Raducanu has endured a string of terrifying stalking incidents during her career, and it's left her feeling weary of leaving her home. At just 22 years old, Raducanu has already reached a world number 10 ranking and is the current women's British number one. She was the 2021 US Open champion and became the first British woman to win a singles match during the tournament since 1977. She returned to Wimbledon this year after missing the 2024 competiton because of the birth of her son, but her journey was cut short after being knocked out of the third round last Friday by the current world number one for ladies' singles, Aryna Sabalenka. While it was a dissapointing finish, Raducanu has sadly experienced much worse on the court as the disturbing behaviour of one 'fixated' spectator once reduced her to tears. During a match at the Dubai Tennis Championships in February this year, Raducanu was visibly distressed during her second-round against Karolina Muchova. So much so that she was left seeking refuge in tears behind the umpire's chair after spotting a man in the audience who had reportedly approached her earlier in the tournament. Following the incident, the WTA issued a statement detailing the distressing incident: "On Monday, February 17, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited fixated behaviour. This same individual was identified in the first few rows during Emma's match on Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and subsequently ejected. "He will be banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment. Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events." Dubai authorities issued a restraining order against the stalker, whose information is now circulated among international tennis tournaments. The Dubai incident was the fourth consecutive event after Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, during which the individual had been present during Raducanu's matches. The day before the incident in Dubai, he even confronted her in a café. Raducanu bravely spoke out about her ordeal earlier this year. "It was difficult," she told BBC Sport."It was emphasised by the fact I didn't necessarily feel certain or comfortable in my own set-up and team so it just added to the anxious feeling. "I'm obviously wary when I go out. I try not to be careless about it because you only realise how much of a problem it is when you're in that situation and I don't necessarily want to be in that situation again. "Off the court right now, I feel good, I feel pretty settled. I feel like I have good people around me and anything that was negative, I kind of brush it off as much as I can." Ahead of this year's Wimbledon, the All England Club spotted the man from the Dubai incident through their public ballot system and promptly cancelled his ticket application. While the Wimbledon draw closed doors last year, refunds could have still lead to ticket redistribution right until The Championships started on June 30, the Express reports. Terrifyingly, it's not the first time Raducanu has been stalked. Amrit Magar, who was not the individual in Dubai, was convicted of stalking Raducanu between November 1 and December 4, 2021. At the time, Raducanu was just 18-years-old. The court heard that Magar, originally from Harrow, north-east London, went to Raducanu's home on three separate occasions, loitering around the premises, leaving unwanted cards and gifts including a note that said the tennis player 'deserved love' along with a map illustrating the 23 miles he had walked from his home in Edgeware. He also decorated a tree in her garden with Christmas lights and stole the trainer from her porch believing it belonged to her rather than her father. Raducanu's father, Ian, first became aware of Magar's actions after being alerted by a doorbbell camera, discovering his trainer had been taken from the porch. In February 2022, the judge handed Magar a five-year restraining order and sentenced the 35-year-old to an 18-month community order. The sentence included 200 hours of unpaid work and an eight-week curfew between 9pm and 6am monitored by an electronic tag. When asked about the incident, Raducanu previously said: "Since all this has happened, I have felt very creeped out. I feel very apprehensive if I go out, especially if I am on my own. "I feel like my freedom has been taken away from me. I am constantly looking over my shoulder. I feel on edge and worried this could happen again. I don't feel safe in my own home, which is where I should feel safest."
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How to Watch Benjamin Bonzi vs. Marin Cilic at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open: Live Stream, TV Channel
How to Watch Benjamin Bonzi vs. Marin Cilic at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open: Live Stream, TV Channel In the Round of 128 at the Mutua Madrid Open on Tuesday, Benjamin Bonzi (ranked No. 62) faces Marin Cilic (No. 109). Bonzi's last competition was on April 12, 2025 at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, when he fell 2-6, 4-6 to Daniel Rincon in the qualifying round. Cilic heads into this match after a three-set loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime (4-6, 6-3, 2-6) in his last match on February 27, 2025 in the quarterfinals at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Watch Tennis Channel on Fubo! Benjamin Bonzi vs. Marin Cilic: live stream info & TV channel Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open Mutua Madrid Open Round: Round of 128 Round of 128 Date: Tuesday, April 22 Tuesday, April 22 Live Stream: Watch Tennis Channel on Fubo Watch Tennis Channel on Fubo Court Surface: Clay Benjamin Bonzi vs. Marin Cilic matchup stats Bonzi is 1-3 on clay over the past year. In terms of serve/return winning percentages on clay over the past 12 months, Bonzi has won 57.1% of his games on serve, and 28.9% on return. On clay over the past year, Bonzi has converted 11 of 24 break points (45.8%). Bonzi was defeated in the Qualification Round 1 of his last tournament (the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell) 2-6, 4-6 by No. 223-ranked Rincon on April 12. Cilic suffered defeat in the quarterfinal of his most recent tournament (the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships) on February 27, when he went down 4-6, 6-3, 2-6 to Auger-Aliassime. Tennis odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 9:57 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
Khaleej Times
05-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
How the Dubai World Cup boosts UAE tourism numbers
The Dubai World Cup, one of the emirate's biggest events in the calendar, continues to be a boon to the city's luxury tourism. From hotels to restaurants, the city comes alive for the world's richest race day that attracts people from across the UAE and the globe. 'The Dubai World Cup has significantly enhanced Dubai's global profile and bolstered its tourism sector. In 2011, the event recorded an unprecedented attendance of over 81,000 spectators at Meydan Grandstand, underscoring its immense popularity,' said Abhishek Dadlani, founder of Lushescapes. 'By 2015, Frank Gabriel Jr, vice-president of racing for the Dubai Racing Club, noted that the Dubai World Cup had contributed to a 30 per cent increase in tourism to the emirate.' Dadlani said the Dubai World Cup provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the emirate and dive into the rich history of equestrianism, which has become such a strong component of Emirati heritage and culture. 'At Lushescapes, we've seen a growing demand for unique, immersive experiences around elite global events, with the Dubai World Cup being one of them. Travellers today seek more than just a destination; they want meticulously curated journeys that combine luxury, exclusivity, and cultural depth,' he said. Sports tourism now plays a crucial role in Dubai's economy, with marquee events like the Dubai World Cup, DP World Tour Championship, Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships driving significant international interest. 'These events attract high-spending visitors who contribute directly to various sectors, from luxury hotels seeing increased bookings for premium suites to high-end retail benefiting from race-day fashion and exclusive shopping experiences,' said Dadlani, who said visitors are looking for high-end, luxury experiences. 'The transportation sector also experiences a surge, with greater demand for private chauffeur services, luxury car rentals, and even helicopter transfers. Dubai's ability to host world-class sporting events has solidified its position as a premier destination for luxury sports tourism, ensuring that every major event delivers economic value across multiple industries.' While horse racing has long been associated with elite circles, the Dubai World Cup has evolved to attract a broader audience. International performances by artistes like Seal, Jennifer Lopez, and Kylie Minogue have further broadened its reach, making it a cultural event that draws a diverse crowd, from luxury travellers to casual spectators. 'While it remains a highlight for high-net-worth individuals, corporate guests, and racing enthusiasts, its appeal has expanded through world-class entertainment, fine dining experiences, and exclusive hospitality offerings,' said Dadlani. Far beyond the race day itself, the event spurs a whole wealth of travel experiences from visitors to the emirate. Reflecting the importance for tour operators, Arabian Adventures has curated a bespoke, five-night package of VIP experiences to cater to visitors. The 'Premium Guest Experience' includes access to a private suite for the race day overlooking the Home Straight turn for amazing views, with visitors enjoying premium beverages and food, and a premium Chauffeur Drive to the Meydan Racecourse to arrive at the headline race in style. Other VIP experiences include an evening dinner with a trainer and jockey, private tours of the Parade Ring and Meydan Stables, a night of premium desert dining at The Veuve Clicquot Desert Experience by Arabian Adventures, and a helicopter tour of Dubai. 'The Dubai World Cup is one of the city's most sought-after and glamorous annual sporting events. Interest in the Dubai World Cup is growing annually from a diverse range of markets. This year, we can see ticket and package sales from the UK, Europe, and the Far East,' said Anabela Radosevic, manager, sales and services at Arabian Adventures. 'We work closely with specialised travel trade partners focused on horse racing, from whom we can see an increase in both individual and group travel. Visiting the Dubai World Cup provides a unique insight into the city's luxury travel and events offering.' The event, according to Matthew Vlemmiks, leisure manager at dnata Travel, is also becoming more global as the number of international visitors is fast catching up with the domestic market. 'For the Dubai World Cup this year, we are seeing demand for tickets from a variety of markets, with a current split of 46 per cent of sales from international customers and 54 per cent for the UAE-based clients,' Vlemmiks said. Emirates Airline has been a pivotal player in bringing fans and competitors from around the world to the event, which has flourished from its humble beginnings in the 1990s at Nad Al Sheba. 'Since its inception in 1996, the Dubai World Cup (DWC) has played an instrumental role in establishing Dubai as a prominent destination in the sporting and horseracing world. Today, it ranks among the top five horse races globally and is a highlight of Dubai's annual social calendar,' said Adnan Kazim, Emirates' deputy president and chief commercial officer. He said Emirates, which has been a sponsor of the event for almost three decades, has flown hundreds of thousands of racegoers in addition to owners, specialists and suppliers, and not least, the highly prized horses. 'Over the years, the event has attracted millions of racing fans from across the world, drawing them to Dubai to experience everything our city has to offer,' Kazim said. 'It has had a significant impact on Dubai, helping position the city as a prime destination for world-class events.'
USA Today
03-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How to Watch Christopher O'Connell vs. Marton Fucsovics at the 2025 Tiriac Open: Live Stream, TV Channel
How to Watch Christopher O'Connell vs. Marton Fucsovics at the 2025 Tiriac Open: Live Stream, TV Channel On Friday, Christopher O'Connell (No. 87 in the world) takes on Marton Fucsovics (No. 90) in the quarterfinals at the Tiriac Open. O'Connell enters the quarterfinals after winning in three sets, 6-2, 5-7, 7-6, over Nicolas Jarry on Thursday in the Round of 16. Fucsovics is coming off a three-set win against Mariano Navone (4-6, 6-4, 6-4) in his last match on Thursday in the Round of 16. Watch Tennis Channel on Fubo! Christopher O'Connell vs. Marton Fucsovics: live stream info & TV channel Tournament: Tiriac Open Tiriac Open Round: Quarterfinal Quarterfinal Date: Friday, April 4 Friday, April 4 Live Stream: Watch Tennis Channel on Fubo Watch Tennis Channel on Fubo Court Surface: Clay Christopher O'Connell vs. Marton Fucsovics matchup stats O'Connell has a match record of 2-4 on clay over the last 12 months. In terms of serve/return winning percentages on clay over the past 12 months, O'Connell has won 73% of his games on serve, and 17.1% on return. On clay over the past 12 months, O'Connell has converted 10 of 27 break points (37.0%). O'Connell was defeated in the Round of 128 of his last tournament (the Miami Open presented by Itau) 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 by No. 53-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena on March 19. Fucsovics has come out on top in one tournament on clay over the past 12 months, posting a 6-5 record on that surface. Fucsovics is 99-for-132 in service games on clay courts (winning 75%) and 34-for-135 in return games (25.2%). Fucsovics has claimed 46.5% of break points on clay surfaces (33 out of 71) which ranks 81st. On February 25, Fucsovics was defeated by No. 79-ranked Luca Nardi, 6-1, 2-6, 3-6, in the Round of 32 of his most recent tournament, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. O'Connell vs. Fucsovics futures odds Tennis odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 3:56 PM ET. O'Connell Odds to Win the 2025 Tiriac Open: +1400 +1400 Fucsovics Odds to Win the 2025 Tiriac Open: +650 Tennis odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 3:56 PM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
