USA's Ben Shelton reacts after winning a game against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik during first round play at the National Bank Open tennis Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 in Montreal. Shelton won the match in straight sets. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
MONTREAL – Seeded Americans got off to a good start at the men’s National Bank Open tennis tournament as Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton posted first-round wins Wednesday.
Paul, seeded 10th in Montreal, fired nine aces in a 6-4, 7-6 (2) win over Italy’s Luciano Darderi.
He is playing in his first tournament since teaming with Taylor Fritz to win men’s doubles bronze at the Paris Olympics.
Paul will next face the winner of a match Wednesday afternoon between wild card Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., and American qualifier Brandon Nakashima.
Shelton, seeded 11th, came back from a break down in the first set to defeat Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Centre Court.
He will next face either Czechia’s Tomas Machac or Alexei Popyrin of Australia.
Later Wednesday, 14th-seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal was scheduled to face Italy’s Flavio Cobolli and veteran Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C., was set to take on Sebastian Korda of the United States.
Wild cards Liam Draxl of New Market, Ont., and Benjamin Sigouin of Vancouver are playing German combo Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in men’s doubles.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 7, 2024.
