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Félix Auger-Aliassime’s National Bank Open is over before it even started.
In a major blow to the tournament, the top-ranked Canadian withdrew from his hometown event some two hours before his opening match Wednesday at IGA Stadium in Montreal after sustaining a back injury during practice.
Auger-Aliassime, ranked fourth in the world, entered the ATP Masters 1000 event as one of the favourites. His No. 2 seed was the highest ever for a Canadian at the tournament in the Open Era.
The 25-year-old from Montreal was set to face French qualifier Titouan Droguet in the second round as he opened his bid to become the first Canadian man to win the singles title since Robert Bedard in 1958.
Auger-Aliassime was also the last Canadian standing in the men’s singles draw after Denis Shapovalov and Gabriel Diallo retired with injuries Tuesday.
Droguet will now face lucky loser Jaime Faria of Portugal in the second round.
Cross ousted after earning first WTA win
Meanwhile, another Canadian is out of the women’s tournament in Toronto after Kayla Cross fell 7-6 (2), 6-3 to American Ann Li on Wednesday.
Cross fired three aces across the one-hour 27-minute second-round match but saved just three of seven break points.
The 21-year-old from London, Ont., shocked many at the tournament on Monday, upsetting Britain’s Katie Boulter 7-6 (3), 7-5 to earn her first WTA victory.
She is the latest Canadian to fall at the hard-court tournament, following early exits by Katherine Sebov, Rebecca Marino and 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu.
Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., was set to begin her NBO campaign on Wednesday, opening against Renata Zarazua of Mexico.
Also Wednesday, Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic downed American Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-1, Taylor Townsend advanced to the Round of 32 with a 7-6 (4), 7-5 victory over No. 21 seed Marie Bouzkova of Czechia, and third-seeded, two-time champion Jessie Pegula rallied for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Magdalena Frech.
