Alexis Galarneau of Canada returns a ball to Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina during Day One of the National Bank Open in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
TORONTO – Canada’s Milos Raonic defeated American Frances Tiafoe 6-7 (12), 7-6 (4), 6-3 in an epic first-round match Monday night at the National Bank Open.
The ninth-seeded Tiafoe outlasted the Canadian in a 20-minute tiebreaker in the first set.
But Raonic, who grew up in nearby Thornhill, Ont., took the second-set in a tiebreaker and went on to complete the victory in two hours, 44 minutes.
This is Raonic’s third tournament appearance since returning to the ATP Tour in June after an injury absence of nearly two years.
Earlier, Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Que., dropped a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 decision to Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo.
Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C., was scheduled to play Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in the late match.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 7, 2023.
