Monday Digest: First Wins of 2025 Below Canadians’ Belts

It is just six days into 2025 and already a full slate of tournaments has been accomplished on the skilled tennis circuit, with a handful of Canadians scoring their first match wins of the brand new yr. 

Sport’s shortest low season has already come and gone so let’s waste no time diving into the newest motion from the tennis world. 

Right here’s what you could know. 

In Case You Missed It: Busy week one 

5 Canadians had been competing on the primary tour within the opening week of the season, with 4 of them choosing up their first wins of the yr. 

A lot of the consideration was centered on the United Cup, the place Leylah Annie Fernandez and Félix Auger-Aliassime had been representing Canada on the mixed group occasion. 

Fernandez picked up her first match win of the yr in Canada’s opening group stage tie in opposition to Croatia over Donna Vekic, whereas Auger-Aliassime first victory was an exciting Prime 5 win over Taylor Fritz when Canada took on america. Nonetheless, Canada completed the group stage 1-1, second in Group A, and failed to succeed in the knockout stage. 

Click on right here for the recap of Canada’s matches on the United Cup.

On the primary tour, Gabriel Diallo and Rebecca Marino each picked up victories of their first tournaments of 2025. 

Marino kicked off her season with a powerful three-set upset of 2024 WTA Newcomer of the Yr Lulu Solar within the Kiwi’s residence match in Auckland. The Canadian fell in spherical two to Bernarda Pera. 

Diallo gained his qualifying match to get into the primary draw of the Hong Kong Open the place he defeated Roberto Carballes Baena in three units. He too bowed out within the second spherical, shedding to second seed Lorenzo Musetti in straight units. 

Denis Shapovalov was additionally competing in Hong Kong however misplaced within the first spherical to eventual runner-up Kei Nishikori. 

Learn additionally: 2024 WTA Awards – NBO Energy Rankings Panel’s Model

In off-court information, final week Gabriela Dabrowski revealed that she was recognized with breast most cancers in April 2024. The Canadian star shared her story in an Instagram submit, detailing her story.  

Dabrowski missed all the clay-court swing to obtain surgical procedure and therapy. In her first match again post-diagnosis, she gained the title in Nottingham. On high of the title, she reached the Wimbledon and Nationwide Financial institution Open finals, gained an Olympic medal, and gained the WTA Finals whereas receiving therapy later within the season. 

What to Watch: Final Prep Forward of Melbourne 

For the primary time in his profession, Gabriel Diallo doesn’t must take part in qualifying for a Grand Slam occasion as he obtained direct entry into the Australian Open. Because of this, he takes benefit to compete within the ATP 250 occasion in Auckland this week. 

Diallo will play an Italian Lorenzo for the second match in a row, this time Lorenzo Sonego, to kick off his marketing campaign in Auckland. He may face No. 8 seed Alex Michelsen within the second spherical and is projected to satisfy second seed Alejandro Tabilo within the quarter-finals. 

Denis Shapovalov has already bounced again from his first-round loss final week, choosing up his first win of the brand new yr with a straight-set win over Zhizhen Zhang. He’ll face both Aleksandar Vukic or Marcus Giron within the second spherical. 

Learn additionally: 2024 ATP Awards – NBO Energy Rankings Panel’s Model

There could possibly be an all-Canadian quarter-final in Adelaide as Shapovalov is projected to satisfy Félix Auger-Aliassime within the final eight. Auger-Aliassime is seeded fifth and has a first-round bye. He’ll solely have to beat both Arthur Cazaux or Adam Walton to succeed in the quarter-finals.  

Prime seed Tommy Paul would probably be ready within the semis for whichever Canadian had been to come back by means of that quarter. 

Leylah Annie Fernandez gained a pair of qualifying matches to get into her first common WTA Tour most important draw on the WTA 500 in Adelaide however misplaced within the first spherical to Ekaterina Alexandrova in three units. She can also be enjoying doubles with Nadiia Kichenok.    

Below the Radar: One Canadian Left in Australian Open Qualifying 

Motion is already underway at Melbourne Park as qualifying for the 2025 Australian Open started on Monday. 

Marina Stakusic was the primary Canadian in motion however her bid to succeed in her second Grand Slam most important draw ended early as she misplaced her opening match to Nao Hibino in straight units. Stakusic was the lone Canadian lady competing in qualifying. 

Alexis Galarneau is the lone Canadian competing on the lads’s facet. He’ll face No. 28 seed Lukas Klein within the first spherical and is in the identical part of the draw as No. 2 seed Mattia Bellucci. 

Whereas the wheelchair draw on the Australian Open doesn’t start for practically two weeks, Rob Shaw is already in Melbourne and getting his preparation in at an ITF 1 sequence occasion. 

There are greater than a dozen Canadians competing at ITF occasions this week across the globe. 

You possibly can observe the Canadians in motion each week right here.  

Tickets for the Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Spherical tie between Canada and Hungary at the moment are on sale. Be part of us February 1 and a pair of at IGA Stadium in Montreal, because the Canadian group begins their quest for the 2025 Davis Cup Last 8. To entry tickets at early-bird pricing, click on right here.