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Raonic continues to round into form with another decisive win at National Bank Open – Sportsnet.ca

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Thirty-six hours after his tournament-opening thriller against ninth seed Frances Tiafoe Monday night, Milos Raonic’s homecoming tour continued at the National Bank Open in Toronto with a decisive 6-4, 6-3 victory in straight sets over Japan’s Taro Daniel in the Round of 32.

Just as it was in Monday’s statement win, the story of Wednesday’s matchup was all about the serve. It was the signature booming overhand of the man in red and white that was ultimately the difference-maker, though not without a strong challenge from Daniel, whose best defence against Raonic’s serve wasn’t to return it but rather to try to keep pace by holding his own.

It wasn’t until the 10th game of the first set that a player was able to break his opponent’s serve. Up 5-4, it was Raonic who broke free from the rhythm of the back-and-forth contest and claimed the set. The 32-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., carried that momentum into the second, winning the first three games and creating a cushion that proved crucial in keeping Daniel’s comeback attempt at bay.

If Monday’s win made a statement, Wednesday’s answered a question about whether his health would allow him to repeat the feat.

“To be honest, after playing well in the first round, having not played many matches back to back in a very long time, I really didn’t expect to play that well today,” Raonic said post-match. “I knew it would be difficult. I know that that’s one of the more difficult things, is that kind of picking stuff up and carrying it from one day to the next and having that continuity. So, I was very aware of that kind of potentially being the case.”

Asked where he feels his overall game is now, compared to pre-injury, Raonic indicated it’s not far off.

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“It’s never been a question so much of level,” he said. “It’s more been like, A: can I push myself physically to prepare the way I need to to be able to play well? And, B: when it comes to matches and stuff, can I be able to kind of withstand that load and that physical exertion kind of week in and week out?”

Wednesday’s win, while showcasing once again his strong service game, was not without a few uncertain moments — from the hometown crowd, at least. The final sequence of Raonic’s midday match mirrored the first in both its nerves and its thrills. The Canuck opened the contest with a rare double fault, sending a ripple of anxious energy through the stands that quickly turned into a roar of excitement — and, sure, more than a little relief, too — as he followed up the misstep with a pair of signature aces. Then, up 5-3 in the second set with the match on the line and the ball in his hand, Raonic delayed the crowd’s elation with his second double fault of the contest before his blistering ace — his 15th of the match — secured the win.

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“Yeah, there was, obviously, some points of frustration today. A few break points I didn’t necessarily play well or maybe some opportunities I felt get away, which, when I kind of had opportunities in my last match, I was probably a bit more sharp,” he said. “But I just kind of kept plugging away and giving myself those chances.”

It’s been a long road back to the courts for Raonic, who was sidelined nearly two years after suffering an Achilles injury in 2021. But it was a very short 36 hours between matches, precious few hours to recover and regain his strength and stamina. He’ll have even less time to prepare for his next date: Thursday’s Round of 16 matchup against Mackenzie McDonald, the American fresh off ousting tournament sixth seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets.

It’s helped, of course, that Raonic has been able to spend what little off-court time he does have at home. As he told Sportsnet’s Arash Madani following his win, Raonic’s enjoying his time at home.

“It’s easy to be home. It’s fun to be home. Yesterday after a long day’s practice I went over to my parents’ house, played with my dogs, go get some dinner after. It’s a little more enjoyable, a little more fun,” he said.

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That’s all contributing to his calm, cool demeanour — even amid the midday heat. And neither the sun nor the spotlight is poised to ease up much in the coming days, considering Raonic is now the lone Canadian vying for Toronto’s tournament title. As Raonic spoke post-match, young Canuck Gabriel Diallo, on the heels of Tuesday’s rousing victory over Great Britain’s Daniel Evans, was just a few games into his first set against Alex De Minaur of Australia. Despite a strong start in the first and an early lead in the second, Diallo fell to his opponent in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5.

Diallo called his first National Bank Open experience “a great eye-opener” not only for his own on-court experience but the chance to be around tour veterans.

“I learned a lot from how the pros behave, how they train, how they carry themselves outside the court. So great learning experience for me,” Diallo said.

“And, yeah, I’m disappointed, but I think I did some good things on the court. And I’m proud of myself for believing I could win until the last point,” he continued. “And now it’s just on to the next one.”

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Next up for Diallo will be the Winnipeg Challenger, followed by U.S. Open qualifiers later this month.

Meanwhile, Raonic’s “next up” brings with it another iteration of the same question — the one we’ll continue to ask as long as the Canadian is on the court: Just how far can he go?

“You know, you have to rest well, eat well, do the therapy I need to do with my team. And kind of just go through that to give my body the best chance to heal, and then give myself the best chance to compete and really leave it all out there tomorrow,” he said. “And that way, I can have a chance.”

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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November 8, 2024

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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November 8, 2024

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

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November 8, 2024

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Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

—

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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