TORONTO- While some are drowning summer sorrows in pints after the announcement that Andre Agassi would not be participating in this year’s Rogers Cup, others cheer another impending showdown between the top two seeded tennis players in the world.
The Rogers Cup kicked off in Toronto with matches on Saturday at the Rexall Centre as the qualifying draw was announced, setting the stage for what fans hope will be another classic final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
The tournament, celebrating its 125th anniversary, awards $2,450,000 U.S. in total prize money and features several Canadians, including Vancouver’s Philip Bester and Toronto’s Daniel Nestor. The top-ranked Canadian player in the world, Frank Dancevic, is also scheduled to participate.
Known to modern-day aficionados as the guy who keeps beating Andy Roddick, Federer has a history with his challenger. Nadal leads the series 6-2 and is the defending Rogers Cup champion.
The style between them is strikingly diverse. While Federer methodically crafts victories together, showing all the emotion of a chess champion, Nadal is known for leaving it on the court with his expressive celebrations.
Both will have to work to claim the $400,000 U.S. singles prize.
Federer takes on Paul-Henri Mathieu in his opening match, and faces threats of Lleyton Hewitt and Marat Safin down the line.
Nadal must get past Nicolas Massu in the first round and has possible opponents Tim
Henman, David Nalbandian and Andy Roddick in his half of the bracket.
Roddick is expected to arrive in the next week, asking for additional time to recover from a muscle strain.
Not scheduled to arrive is Andre Agassi, who pulled out of the tournament on Friday. It is believed that he is preparing for his final U.S. Open.
Undoubtedly a fan favourite, Agassi will miss his final chance to play in front of his Canadian fans.
Agassi said that he has “great memories” in Canada in a statement to Rogers Cup tournament director Grant Connell.
The tournament runs until Aug. 13.
More information and tickets are available at rogerscup.com
Inside Pulse will be providing continuing live coverage of the event.
