Boris Becker

Manic Monday Ahead

July 20, 2008

The opening day of the 2008 Rogers Cup in Toronto is set to be one for the record books as first round action will commence alongside the completion of the qualifying rounds. Sunday’s schedule of play was totally wiped out due to rain and now the seven qualifiers will be decided in early Monday contests.

Despite the scheduling change, the highlight of the day will still be Boris Becker’s induction into the Rogers Cup Hall of Fame. Becker will be on-site all day doing media interviews and pro-ams. Then at 6:45 p.m. the German tennis legend will play an exhibition match against recent Canadian Wimbledon champ Daniel Nestor with the induction ceremony to follow. The main draw match will come immediately afterwards where Canada’s top male singles player Frank Dancevic will begin his quest for a hometown title against Croatia’s Mario Ancic.

No matter where you watch from tomorrow there will be a big name guy on court. Centre Court will be a French affair during the day as the first match is between countrymen Richard Gasquet and Michael Llodra with Julien Benneteau taking on Fernando Gonzalez (Chile) second and Paul-Henri Mathieu up third against Robby Ginepri (United States).

Grandstand will see non-stop action starting at 11:00 a.m. with Top 10 player Stanislas Wawrinka playing Italian Simone Bolelli. Some of the names set to follow that match include Canadian Frederic Niemeyer, Serbian Janko Tipsarevic and Russian Mikhail Youzhny.

Court 1 will definitely be buzzing tomorrow as well when both Andy Roddick and Roger Federer play their first round doubles matches. Roddick and Mardy Fish will take on Arnaud Clement and Llodra followed by Federer and Wawrinka versus Benneteau and Niemeyer.

It’s a can’t miss day at Rexall Centre as the Rogers Cup will finally swing into full gear.