Fritz finds a way in spectacular roller-coaster clash against Humbert, Rublev dumped out by McDonald at Canadian Open

It was contrasting fortunes for two of the leading lights to begin their Canadian Open campaigns as Taylor Fritz found a way against Ugo Humbert.

Fritz came through a three set marathon 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 and qualified for the Last 16 at the Canadian Open. It was an eighth victory in the last nine games for Fritz who was only defeated by Tallon Griekspoor last week in Washington who lost eventually in the final to Dan Evans.

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It was a two and a half hour clash which could even have gone the way of Humbert who had a set point in the tiebreak at 6-5. With him sealing it narrowly with a break at 5-3 in the second set, he could've gone onto seal the win.

But he claimed the set anyway to set up a decider. Humbert lost his serve at 3-1, but Fritz was broken back at 4-3.

Only for Humbert to lose his at 5-3 and Fritz breezed to the match and a service hold in the process.

But while Fritz is through, the same cannot be said for Andrey Rublev. He was beaten by Mackenzie McDonald in the second round.

It is a second time in a row that he has lost early in Canada and since Wimbledon, he lost to Casper Ruud in Bastad before losing early in Hamburg. He struggled in particular with his serve against McDonald with 40% on his serve and despite 18 winners and only 9 unforced errors, the serve proved a problem as well as McDonald getting seven break point opportunities in the 6-4, 6-3 win for the American.

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Fritz finds a way 😅 A rollercoaster match ends up in a 7-6 3-6 6-3 win for the American! #NBO23

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