Welcome back to the Monday Tennis Briefing, where The Athletic will explain the stories behind the stories from the past week on the court. This week, the Canadian leg of the U.S. Open prelude brought surprises galore, with the afterglow of the Paris 2024 Olympic tennis and some serious rain creating strange results. Let’s dive into the key highlights and developments from the world of tennis.
Coco Gauff, the World No 2, faced a tough defeat at the hands of rising Russian Diana Shnaider in Toronto. Gauff admitted to feeling tired and unsure about playing the tournament, which may have impacted her performance. With 42 unforced errors in two sets, Gauff struggled to find her rhythm against Shnaider. This loss marked her fourth consecutive defeat against top-50 opponents, raising questions about her form and mental state on the court.
Gauff’s recent struggles have put her No 2 ranking in jeopardy, as she will now have to defend 1000 ranking points at the upcoming Cincinnati tournament. Her rivalry with Aryna Sabalenka for the No 2 spot adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming matches. With the U.S. Open on the horizon, Gauff will need to find her form quickly to defend her title against tough competition.
The Masters tournaments in Montreal and Toronto were marred by rain delays, scheduling issues, and injury concerns. Players like Andrey Rublev and Alexei Popyrin capitalized on the chaos, with Rublev defeating World No 1 Jannik Sinner and Popyrin making a strong run to the semifinals. The challenges faced by players due to the weather and scheduling highlighted the mental and physical demands of professional tennis.
Diana Shnaider’s remarkable rise in the tennis world has been a standout story of the season. The Russian player’s unconventional path to success, including a stint in NCAA college tennis, has culminated in a series of impressive victories and a top-30 ranking. Shnaider’s recent performances, including a silver medal at the Olympics and a WTA 1000 semifinal appearance, have solidified her status as a player to watch in the upcoming Grand Slam events.
Injuries and form will play a crucial role in shaping the U.S. Open draws, with Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from Cincinnati impacting the rankings and seedings. The battle between Gauff and Sabalenka for the No 2 spot adds another layer of intrigue to the women’s draw. As players jockey for position and form ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season, the competition promises to be intense and unpredictable.
As the men’s and women’s tours continue, fans can look forward to exciting matchups and storylines unfolding on the court. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the tennis season progresses. (Photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)