Alcaraz has a lot to work on, Murray’s stock value is dropping. Who are last week’s winners and losers?

Last week on the ATP circuit was marked by the Masters tournament in Toronto. The well-attended tennis event revealed the current form of the biggest favourites of this part of the year, which culminates at the US Open. Some rather surprising names shone here. On the other hand, the ambitions of some of the fighters have taken a serious hit.

Britain’s Andy Murray is trying to break through to the top after long-term injuries. But in Toronto, health has once again slowed him down. He was forced to withdraw during the tournament due to abdominal problems. It is not impossible that he will make the last Grand Slam of the season, but the Scot’s preparation for it took a big hit.

The tennis future is also uncertain for another experienced player. Gael Monfils put in a very good performance at the Canadian Masters, but he is not sure if he is committed to the nomadic life of an ATP player at his age and in his family situation.

“If I want to get back up, I have to play week in, week out. Do I really want to live like that? I’m not sure,” the proud father of less than one-year-old Skai revealed his feelings, according to Tennismajors . However, it doesn’t look like an immediate end to his career, as time will tell in many situations in life.

Failures of elite players

Carlos Alcaraz starts his journey to defend his US Open victory. He certainly didn’t shine in Toronto. The takeaway for him is the fact that he needs to improve a lot of aspects of his game.

At the same stage of the Masters in Toronto, another of the big favourites, Daniil Medvedev, also said goodbye. He fell to Australian Alex de Minaur in his quarterfinal match. The Australian praised the Russian for making him play his best tennis. De Minaur’s great results did not end with this match.

Both Alcaraz and Medvedev remain favorites for the US Open. Their performance at the upcoming Masters in Cincinnati will give a hint as to how great they are. An interesting decision by Novak Djokovic is also relevant to the US event just starting.

Winners of the week

Of course, there is always only one real winner, but several players produced great results. First of all, we have to mention the American Paul. He not only earned words of appreciation from Alcaraz, but also his fifth appearance in the semi-finals of the tournament this year.

The twenty-six-year-old tennis player thus reached a new career high and placed himself among the players under the spotlight ahead of the home Grand Slam. Jannik Sinner did not make it to the final.

Tennis players who have never known the joy of triumph at the Masters have reached the final in Toronto. Italy’s Sinner has had two final attempts in his career. Against de Minaur, it was on his third attempt.

In the first set of the final duel, there were five break points. The Italian won one more and the first set went to him. Sinner took the second set with ease and celebrated his twenty-second birthday three days early.

In fact, the Italian tennis player is the only one of the US Open favourites who has confirmed these ambitions so far. After a weak clay part of the season and a lacklustre start to the grass part, he has breathed a sigh of relief. It is hard to imagine a better boost than a victory at such a valuable event as the 1000 in Toronto.

Sources: ATP Toronto, Eurosport, Tennis Majors