Canadians Look To Continue Succes In Australia
Just weeks after Canada won it’s first ever Davis Cup, a group of Canada’s best take on the world again, down under, leading up to the Australian Open.
Which players are in the AO Main Draw?
Who has already lost in Qualifying?
Who is still battling?
Let’s take a look.
Felix Auger-Aliassime Goes For Australian Glory
After a career best season in 2022, there is no doubt that the sky is the limit for Felix Auger-Aliassime in 2023.
The Montreal native got to #6 in the world last year after an incredible indoor season. He beat Novak Djokovic at the Laver Cup, took Rafa Nadal to 5 sets at the French Open, and lead Canada to victory at the Davis Cup.
Next for Felix?
A BIG title. The first opportunity for that comes at the Australian Open next week.
Felix’s serve and forehand make him an ominous opponent for anyone on tour, especially with the conditions at the AO. Aussie John Millman has said that the Dunlop balls are harder and faster this year, favouring big hitters like Felix.
Canadians in the Australian Open Main Draw
There are six Canadians who get a direct entry into the main draw at the 2023 Australian Open:
ATP
#6 Felix Auger-Aliassime
#18 Denis Shapovalov
#100 Vasek Pospisil
WTA
#40 Leylah Fernandez
#45 Bianca Andreescu
#65 Rebecca Marino
Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime look to improve on their Quarter-Final results last year in Melbourne. Pospisil missed last year’s Australian Open due to ranking.
Fernandez will certainly hope to do better than her first round exit in 2022, while Andreescu will enter the AO for the first time since 2021. Andreescu has never gotten past the 2nd Round at the Australian Open. Marino lost in R1 in 2022, but after a strong season, she is favoured in our books to make it out of R1 this time around.
Canadians in Australian Open Qualifying
Five Canadians entered Australian Open qualifying, with three advancing to the second round!
Genie Bouchard lost a close, 3 set match to American Ashlyn Krueger.
Gabriel Diallo went down in 2 sets to Aussie Aleksander Vukic, 6-3, 6-4.
Alexis Galarneau beat Ryan Peniston in a great performance, 7-6, 6-2. He plays 5th seed Varillas in R2.
Katherine Sebov of Toronto had a great win over Noskova, who had just reached the final in Adelaide. The Canadian plays Aussie Priscilla Hon in R2.
Carol Zhao beat Eudice Chong to advance to the second round of Qualies where she will take on 17th seed, Clara Burel of France.