Auger-Aliassime exited to play in home town

Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime was a fledgling teenager when he last played at the National Bank Open in his hometown.

He'll make his return to IGA Stadium as a top-10 player on the ATP Tour and a tournament headliner.

"I do embrace this position and I worked to be in this position," Auger-Aliassime said Sunday. "I'd rather be where I am today than anywhere else."

Ranked ninth in the world, the six-foot-four right-hander is the only seeded Canadian player at No. 6. Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., is also in the field with wild-card entries Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C., and Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Que.

Defending champ Daniil Medvedev of Russia is the top seed at the US$6.57-million event, which runs through Aug. 14.

Young stars Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, Italy's Jannik Sinner and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece are some other big names in a draw that's missing the so-called Big Three of Novak Djokovic (unvaccinated), Roger Federer (knee) and Rafael Nadal (abdomen).

Auger-Aliassime was ranked just outside the top 20 when the men's tournament was last played here in 2019. Known for his powerful serve and impressive forehand, he has developed a more efficient backhand in recent seasons and improved his net play.

Now ranked ninth in the world, he earned his first ATP Tour victory this season in Marseille. Auger-Aliassime is 30-17 on the season and is coming off a semifinal appearance last week in Los Cabos, Mexico.

"I think he has pretty much the whole package," Tsitsipas said of Auger-Aliassime.

The Canadian has a first-round bye and likely won't play his opening match until Wednesday.

"I'm proud of the results that I've had because this is what I play for," said Auger-Aliassime, who turns 22 on Monday. "At