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Qualies Ready to Roll
July 18, 2008
The 2008 Rogers Cup men’s qualifying draw was released on Friday night and some of the opening weekend matches are sure to be can’t-miss affairs.
There will be a distinct hometown flavour on Saturday as each of the four matches on Centre Court will feature a Canadian. The day opens with Milan Pokrajac of Mississauga, Ontario taking on Colombian Alejandro Falla. Following that match, North Vancouver, British Columbia’s Philip Bester will face Thomas Johansson (Sweden), a former Rogers Cup and Grand Slam champion. The remaining two Centre Court matches will see Vernon, British Columbia native Vasek Pospisil playing against American teen sensation Donald Young and then Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ontario taking on Russian Alexandre Kudryavtsev.
Another three players to watch are Wimbledon quarter-finalist Arnaud Clement (France), ATP veteran Jonas Bjorkman (Sweden) and American up-and-comer Jesse Levine. They will play Ilia Marchenko (Ukraine), Gary Lugassy (France) and Woong-Sun Jun (Korea), respectively, on Court 1.
In addition to opening round qualifying matches, the official draw will be held on the Stage of Champions at 2:00 p.m.
Also happening on site is an autograph session in the Head booth with Canadian youngster Peter Polansky, who is fresh off an appearance in his first ever Grand Slam qualifying draw.
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