Tennis

National Bank Open delayed by rain on first day of women's main-draw action

Published: 

TORONTO — The National Bank Open women's main draw is underway following a weather delay.

Heavy rain blanketed much of Toronto, pushing a scheduled late-morning start into Sunday afternoon.

Wild-card entry and seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams of the United States played the opening match on centre court against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova.

Fellow wild card Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., who became the first Canadian in 50 years to win the country's showcase tournament back in 2019, was slated to meet Czechia's Nikola Bartunkova in Sunday's late action.

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus opens her tournament Tuesday following a first-round bye.

Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., is the top-seeded Canadian at No. 30. Her tournament is set to begin Wednesday after also getting a bye.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 2, 2026.

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press