US Open Series Preview: Montreal

With Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer choosing to not play this year's edition of the Rogers Cup in Montreal, all eyes are now Rafael Nadal to see if the Spaniard can take advantage of the opportunity. He's the defending champion, having won last year's ATP Masters 1000 edition in Toronto over Stefanos Tsitsipas.

What makes the Canadian stop of the US Open Series so exciting again is the possibility of a first-time finalist, especially from the bottom half of the draw. Dominic Thiem is the No. 2 seed. He just won an ATP 250 in Kitzbuhel on red clay.

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Let’s do this, @rogerscup!#USOpenSeries | #RC19 pic.twitter.com/aJsAY2jfAF — US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 3, 2019

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None of the Big Three have played a match since Wimbledon so fans are eager to see the world No. 2-ranked Nadal return to the hard courts. Fans will also be looking closely at Nick Kyrgios, who just beat Daniil Medvedev in the Washington final for his sixth career title.

The Australian could face Medvedev in the second round in Montreal. The Canadians will also be in the spotlight with Milos Raonic the only seeded home favorite at No. 17. He's joined in the field by compatriots Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Vasek Pospisil, Peter Polanksy and Brayden Schnur.

Main-draw action will commence on Monday.

FAST FACTS

Level: ATP Masters 1000
Prize Money: $4,662,300
Dates: August 5 to August 11
Site: IGA Stadium, Montreal
Singles main draw: 49 automatic entry and 7 qualifiers
Doubles main draw: 32 teams