Fritz and Paul Triumph in Montreal Singles
- Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul both won their opening singles matches at the National Bank Open in Montreal.
- This victory follows their success as Olympic doubles bronze medalists.
- Their performances are promising for their future matches in the tournament.
MONTREAL (AP) — In a strong start at the National Bank Open, Olympic doubles bronze medalists Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul both secured victories in their opening singles matches on Wednesday. Ninth-seeded Fritz showcased his skill by defeating Argentina's Mariano Navone with a decisive score of 6-4, 6-1. Meanwhile, tenth-seeded Paul triumphed over Italy's Luciano Darderi, winning 6-4, 7-6 (2), demonstrating resilience in a tightly contested second set. The success continued for American players as Ben Shelton and Brandon Nakashima also advanced to the next round. Shelton, seeded 11th, narrowly overcame Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik, while Nakashima, who entered the tournament as a qualifier, defeated Canadian wild-card Denis Shapovalov with a score of 6-4, 7-5. This performance highlights the growing strength of American tennis on the international stage. Looking ahead, Nakashima is set to face Paul in the second round, promising an exciting matchup between the two rising stars. The tournament has drawn significant attention, with fans eager to see how these players will perform as they progress. In a night match, American Sebastian Korda, fresh off his second ATP Tour title from the previous Sunday in Washington, was scheduled to compete against Canadian Vasek Pospisil, adding to the anticipation surrounding the event. The National Bank Open continues to showcase thrilling tennis and emerging talent.