Soon-to-be Toronto Raptor (they hope, anyway) Kawhi Leonard attended the WTA\u2019s National Bank Open tennis event last night, because Kawhi knows a great sporting event when he sees one, and wants a front-row seat.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s interesting, though, as the semifinals for the women\u2019s event and men\u2019s event in Montreal get going tonight. On the women\u2019s side, it\u2019s a battle of established stars. On the men\u2019s side, it\u2019s the takeover generation.<\/p>\n
So, the National Bank Open has produced two almost opposite semifinal fields.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s semifinal is loaded \u2013 Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina. Swiatek, Gauff and Rybakina are major champions, while Svitolina is a former world No. 3. Gauff hasn\u2019t dropped a set and dominated her quarterfinal, while Rybakina survived a 2-hour, 33-minute three-set battle with Naomi Osaka last night, so fatigue might be more of a factor with her.<\/p>\n
On the men\u2019s side, 23-year-old defending champion Ben Shelton is suddenly the veteran among the semi-final grouping. Rafael Jodar, Brandon Nakashima and Learner Tien were all born in the 2000s and are all appearing in their first Masters 1000 semifinal.<\/p>\n
Shelton has won ten consecutive matches at the National Bank Open and just took out Jakub Mensik 6-3, 6-1.<\/p>\n
On the betting side, where do you go? Pedigree in Toronto or momentum and upside in Montreal?<\/p>\n
Tonight, on the men\u2019s side, No. 20-ranked Jodar takes on No. 28-ranked Nakashima on center court at 6 p.m. EST, followed by No. 12-ranked Tien versus No. 5-ranked Shelton at 7:30 p.m. EST.<\/p>\n