FERRER OUT OF ROGERS CUP
Raonic receives a first-round bye
The loss of a top-10 player would be viewed as bad news for most tennis tournaments, but Eugène Lapierre, the director of the Rogers Cup men’s event, was able to see the silver lining after David Ferrer of Spain, No. 7 in the ATP Tour rankings, sent his regrets this week.
“It’s good news in a way because this means Milos (Raonic) will be seeded eighth,” Lapierre said. That means Raonic receives a first-round bye and he can’t face a higher-ranked player before the quarterfinals.
Ferrer’s withdrawal was predictable. The veteran clay-court specialist, who is known for is tenacious play, hasn’t played since he lost in the first round of a grasscourt event in Nottingham, England. He pulled out of Wimbledon with an elbow injury.
Lapierre noted that the seedings changed over the past week. The absence of Ferrer and No, 2 Roger Federer worked to the advantage of Raonic. And Rafael Nadal, who has struggled this season, moved back into the top-10 after winning last week in Hamburg. He’s seeded seventh.
Qualifying action begins Saturday but the gates at Jarry Park will be open Friday so that fans can watch some of the top players practising.
Defending champion Jo-Wilfrid Tsonga took time out from his preparations Thursday to launch the fourth edition of the Mini-Rogers Cup on the Esplanade of Olympic Stadium. The 5- to 9-year-old players from across the province will compete on the mini-tennis courts this weekend, with the winners earning $500 educational grants.
Tsonga and 14-year-old Montrealer Félix Auger-Aliassime kicked off the activities by sharing their experiences and hitting with the youngsters.