Monday Digest: First Wins of 2025 Under Canadians’ Belts

It’s only 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 most recent motion from the tennis world. 

Right here’s what it’s essential know. 

In Case You Missed It: Busy week one 

5 Canadians have been competing on the principle 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 have 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 towards Croatia over Donna Vekic, whereas Auger-Aliassime first victory was an exciting Prime 5 win over Taylor Fritz when Canada took on the USA. 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 principle 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 12 months Lulu Solar within the Kiwi’s dwelling match in Auckland. The Canadian fell in spherical two to Bernarda Pera. 

Diallo gained his qualifying match to get into the principle draw of the Hong Kong Open the place he defeated Roberto Carballes Baena in three units. He too bowed out within the second spherical, dropping 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 identified with breast most cancers in April 2024. The Canadian star shared her story in an Instagram submit, detailing her story.  

Dabrowski missed your complete clay-court swing to obtain surgical procedure and remedy. 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 remedy later within the season. 

Click on right here for extra information and outcomes for the ATP and WTA Excursions.

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’s taking 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 on the ATP 250 in Adelaide. 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 may very well 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 must 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 have been to come back by that quarter. 

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

Beneath 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 foremost 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 aspect. 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 almost two weeks, Rob Shaw is already in Melbourne and getting his preparation in at an ITF 1 collection occasion. 

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

You may 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 a part of us February 1 and a couple of at IGA Stadium in Montreal, because the Canadian group begins their quest for the 2025 Davis Cup Ultimate 8. To entry tickets at early-bird pricing, click on right here.