Canadian Milos Raonic was eliminated in the third round of the National Bank Open on Thursday.
He lost in straight sets 3-6, 3-6 to American Mackenzie McDonald at Sobeys Stadium.
The Canadian, who returned to the ATP Tour in June after a nearly two-year absence due to injury, struggled against the 59e in the world.
“Some things went well, and some things I can hope to improve on,” said Raonic, who was making his first appearance in Toronto since 2018. led there. »
His serve was not the same stuff as usual, and he committed 32 unforced errors, compared to just 12 for the American. The former world number three was the last Canadian still in contention for the singles title.
Some things went well, and some others I can hope to improve. I did everything I could and it got me there.
Raonic had upset ninth-seeded American Frances Tiafoe in the first round before overcoming Japan’s Taro Daniel in the second.
He never seemed at ease despite the encouragement from fans around center court.
McDonald broke the 32-year-old Ontarian in his first serve game in each of two sets and was more consistent than his opponent.
The American left Raonic on his heels, occasionally working with the serve and volley combination while relying on efficient shots and good ball placements.
Raonic forced three deuces in a game late in the second set, but McDonald won his serve and closed the books in 68 minutes.
Play was suspended on all grounds for more than an hour in the early afternoon due to rain and lightning.
McDonald will cross swords with the Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who got the better of the Norwegian Casper Ruud (noh 3) 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (4).
Fokina had an impressive 58 game-winning tally against the third seed. He ranks 37th in the ATP.
Fokina deserved a first win against a top 10 player on hard court.
Second-seeded Daniil Medvedev defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-4. Champion of the tournament in 2021, the Russian was titled in Miami and Rome this year.
In the evening, the favorite Carlos Alcaraz beat the Polish Hubert Hurkacz in three rounds, before a confrontation between Andy Murray and Jannik Sinner.
In doubles, the Canadian Vasek Pospisil and the French Nicolas Mahut were beaten 6-2 and 6-4 by the Germans Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz.
