ATP Rogers Cup Update

Here’s an update of what has happened at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

If yesterday’s action was any indication, the cream of the crop in this year’s Rogers Cup draw will continue to go through.

Fans will pack the stands inside Centre Court because this is indeed what they want and this is what a tournament of this magnitude demands: the best in the world battling it out for key ranking points as the pressure to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals intensifies.

Players and their coaches will accept nothing less, and that is ultimately what’s best for tennis. Sports fans crave chances to root on an lovable underdog and hope for upsets; March Madness is the best example of this.

Tennis is different; were so used to the same three or four or in the case of the 2015 season, one player dominating their competition that when the likes of Novak Djokovic or Rodger Federer loose, most wonder if it is a dream that they have to wake up out of.

The reason is simple: history is often on the line, and for that reason dominance is preferred

At Wimbledon, most people wanted to see Djokovic accomplish the calendar year grand slam, something that had only been done on three other occasions in men’s singles. Given how physically and mentally demanding this sport is, and the hard work that goes into reaching the top, nobody, with the exception of fans that hate that particular player, wants to see them fail.

Tennis as a whole is better with the Murray’s and the Nadal’s are showing off their talent at the highest level because more people will watch and aspire to play the sport themselves. Think about it this way: is golf better when Tiger Woods isn’t teeing it up?

If this line of thinking is accurate, than yesterday’s Round of 16 action left nothing else to be desired.

Other than Kevin Anderson’s 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over number 12 seed Bernard Tomic, and Gael Monfils entertaining 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4 defeat of seven seed David Goffin, the top five seeds all took care of business.

Djokovic continued his bid for a fourth career Rogers Cup title, and a third Masters 1000 title this season (30th overall), easily defeating qualifier Radek Stepanek in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 28 minutes.

The world number one’s opponent in the semifinals will the fifth seed Tomas Berdych. It wasn’t easy for the Czech, but he took care of American Ryan Harrison in three sets winning the decider 6-4 after losing the second in a tiebreak.

Home favorite and number four seed Milos Raonic used his dominating first serve which included 15 aces to easily get past another American, Jamie Donaldson 6-2, 6-3. Raonic will look to get one step closer to winning his home event when he faces Monfils in the quarters tonight.

Number two seed Stan Wawrinka ended Jack Sock’s run winning a tough opening set in a tiebreak before proving who was boss winning six games to two in the second.Wawrinka then became the first man to book his place in the semis after disposing of Anderson 6-1, 6-3.

Number three seed Kei Nishikori ended another Cinderella hope in a commanding 6-3, 6-4 win over Rajeev Ram. The bottom half’s semifinal will be a all chalk affair after the Japanese number one won the first and third sets against Grigor Dimitrov who was bidding to make his second career appearance in the final four at the Rogers Cup.

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Jul 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Milos Raonic of Canada plays a shot against Jared Donaldson of USA on day four of the Rogers Cup tennis tournament at Aviva Centre. Raonic won 6-2, 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Novak Djokovic defeated Tomas Berdych 7-6 (6), 6-4, extending his dominance over Berdych.

The intensity and energy of the crowd inside Stadium Court will ratchet up just a tad when Milos Raonic takes the court against Gael Monfils. This is an intriguing match and I can envision a scenario in which the relentless Monfils upsets Raonic.

However, I don’t see that scenario playing out in the end. Both players have had great seasons with Monfils winning in Washington and reaching the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters final, and Raonic winning in Brisbane to begin his season, and reaching his first grand slam and Wimbledon final of his career.

They have faced off five times in the past with Raonic holding the edge on the hard surface 2-1. My prediction is that the Canadian will be too motivated to loose to Monfils with a clear home-field advantage. His serve will be to much in the end. Raonic will reach the semis in three sets, winning the first and third.

Enjoy the tennis tonight folks and make sure to stay tuned to Lob and Smash for analysis on all the quarters action!

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