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 an injury-related absence of almost two years, struggled against the 59^e in the world.

“Some things went well, and some things I can hope to improve on,” said Raonic, who was performing in Toronto for the first time since 2018. »

His serve wasn’t the same 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.

Raonic had upset ninth-seeded Frances Tiafoe of America in the first round before defeating Japan’s Taro Daniel in the second round.

Despite the encouragement of fans around Center Court, he never seemed comfortable.

McDonald broke the 32-year-old Ontario in his first service game in each of the two sets and was more consistent than his opponent.

The American kept Raonic on his heels and occasionally worked the serve-and-volley combination while relying on efficient shots and good ball placement.

Raonic forced three deuces in one game late in the second set, but McDonald held at love and equalized in the 68th minute.

Due to rain and thunderstorms, play was interrupted on all fields for more than an hour in the early afternoon.

McDonald will participate in the first quarterfinal game of his career at a Masters 1000 tournament. He will cross paths with the Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who will take on the Norwegian Casper Ruud (n^Oh 3) 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4).

Later in the evening the favorite Carlos Alcaraz meets the Pole Hubert Hurkacz (b^Oh 15). Russian Daniil Medvedev (b^Oh 2) has to deal with the Italian Lorenzo Musetti (n^Oh 16).

In doubles, Canadian Vasek Pospisil and Frenchman Nicolas Mahut meet the German duo consisting of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz (b^Oh 6).

To see in the video