Carlos Alcaraz among three favorites at National Bank Open

While the U.S. Open is set to begin in the ensuing weeks, we still have a way to go. Monday begins the second oldest active tournament in the National Bank Open, as the top talents from all over the world travel to Toronto. The talent includes Carlos Alcaraz, of course.

While Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios will be missing from the event, the excitement shall not cede as the oh-so-dynamic Alcaraz is back in action. Alcaraz is clearly tennis’s new rock star. And the sport needs that right now.

With the tournament beginning Monday, who has the best shot of winning? Will it be the hometown favorite in Denis Shapovalov, Felix Auger-Aliassime, or shall I even dare say… Milos Raonic? Will a new name emerge and break out just in time for the U.S. Open?

Oh…the questions and storylines.

3 favorites for National Bank Open trophy, including Carlos Alcaraz (of course!)

Carlos Alcaraz

I’m running out of words and ways to describe Carlos Alcaraz. Once you think you can define him, he comes up with something new and continues to amaze you. This was quite evident last month when he defeated Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon Final. I mean, just look at what the runner-up had to say for himself.

A hybrid of all three? Yes, the 20-year-old phenom is so clearly in a league of his own right now, that beating him may simply be a task too daunting. He is 47-4 in 2023 for a reason.

Taylor Fritz

Yes, losing in the Semi-finals of the Citi Open has to sting but Taylor Fritz is still riding high, evidenced by his 7-1 record in his last eight matches. Given his experience and success in hard-court Masters 1000 events, a deep run is yet again in the cards, and his recent consistent play is suggestive of so.

Though his path may not be easy, one match to keep your eyes on is a prospective quarterfinal clash with hard-court specialist Daniil Medvedev.

Daniil Medvedev

Speaking of that guy that may give Fritz trouble, we can never forget about Russian number 3 Daniil Medvedev. The lanky hard-court specialist dominated throughout the season and nearly won the sunshine double.

With four titles on hard courts already to his name this year, a fifth is quite desirable and realistic for the 2021 U.S. Open Champion, especially without Djokovic standing in his way.