Rybakina crawls back from third-set hole to reach quarters in Toronto
World No. 2 Elena Rybakina survived a test from Liudmila Samsonova to earn a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and book her spot in the quarter-finals in Toronto.
'I tried to yawn to calm myself down': Osaka handled Canadian crowd better this time around
One year after struggling to deal with the atmosphere in Montreal during a championship match loss to Canada's Vicky Mboko, Naomi Osaka was proud of how she processed things during Sunday's win over Leylah Annie Fernandez in Toronto. "A couple of times in the match I tried to yawn to calm myself down, because I heard that kind of, like, relaxes your muscles," the 28-year-old said.
Fernandez on chemistry with new coach Hechtman: 'He's not going to bulls--t me'
Leylah Annie Fernandez likes how new coach Eric Hechtman is fitting in with her team. "My favourite part is that there's no nonsense," the 23-year-old said. "He's very honest, and it's the same with my dad ... He's not going to bulls--t me." Fernandez is 3-2 through two tournaments with Hechtman.
Fernandez built trust in Toronto, but couldn't fully commit against Osaka
Leylah Annie Fernandez built trust in her game in Toronto, but started overthinking again in Sunday's showdown with Naomi Osaka. "The first two matches I trusted myself completely," Fernandez told TSN. "Today, unfortunately, as the match got tighter, I made a couple mistakes and kind of pulled up on my shots."
Canadian Fernandez falls to Osaka in Round of 16 at National Bank Open
Leylah Fernandez was eliminated from the National Bank Open with a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Naomi Osaka in the Round of 16 in Toronto. The 30th-seeded Fernandez was the last Canadian remaining in either the men's or women's singles draws.
'Surprise wildcard' allows Canada's Chan to rub shoulders with Shelton, Fonseca and Zverev
Initially surprised to receive a wildcard, Duncan Chan became the only Canadian to make it through qualifying at the National Bank Open. And the 21-year-old from Markham, Ont. has certainly made the most of the experience in Montreal, including warming up Ben Shelton, sitting in Joao Fonseca's box and beating Alexander Zverev in doubles.
Alexandrova ousts top-seed Sabalenka to reach quarters in Toronto
Top-seed Aryna Sabalenka had her hands full in the Round of 16 in Toronto and ultimately fell to Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.
Swiatek fends off Kostyuk to advance to quarter-finals in Toronto
Iga Swiatek dropped the opening set but rebounded with a dominating performance to close out Marta Kostyuk 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 and secure her spot in the quarter-finals at the National Bank Open in Toronto.
'Immense amount of love': Toronto fans fuelling Fernandez turnaround
Leylah Annie Fernandez has won consecutive matches for the first time since May and her father and coach Jorge thinks the atmosphere in Toronto is a big reason why. "The fans have shown an immense amount of love and recognition of her work," he said. "I think that has elevated, once again, her belief that this can happen for her and she can turn it around."
Canada's Fernandez upsets Andreeva at National Bank Open to advance to Round of 16
Canada’s Leylah Annie Fernandez rolled to a 6-1, 6-4 victory over fifth-seeded Russian Mirra Andreeva at the National Bank Open on Friday for her first win over a top-10 opponent this season.
Osaka jokes about 'really bad' practice with Fernandez: 'I hope she thinks I'll play that bad'
Naomi Osaka and Leylah Annie Fernandez will faceoff in the round-of-16 in Toronto after playing a practice set in Washington during the previous event. "Truthfully, I played really bad," Osaka recalled with a laugh. "I hope maybe she thinks that I'll play that bad, and she will be caught off guard."
'Celebrate the little things': Cross leans on Andreescu's advice in push up WTA rankings
Kayla Cross had a lot of fun playing doubles with Bianca Andreescu in Toronto. "It means so much," the 21-year-old from London, Ont. said. "Her attitude towards everything is so great." Cross, who won her first WTA match on Monday, is leaning on the 2019 US Open champion for advice as she aims to get established on tour.
Andreescu focuses on 'finishing shots' in preparation for US Open qualifying
After rewatching her first-round loss in Toronto, Bianca Andreescu is focusing on "finishing shots" in preparation for the qualifying event at the US Open. "Of course, I would love to be in the main draw, but I know where I’m at right now," the 26-year-old said. "I just have to keep building my way up."
'When she's on, she's on': Andreescu believes 'fearless' Fernandez can beat anyone
Bianca Andreescu, who lifted the trophy in Toronto in 2019, believes Leylah Annie Fernandez is capable of following in her footsteps this year. "She’s fearless," Andreescu said. "Like, when she’s on, she’s on. She can beat anybody. Her game is so beautiful as well, very aggressive."
New coach Hechtman providing 'helluva athlete' Fernandez with 'an extra confidence'
New coach Eric Hechtman was impressed with the toughness Leylah Annie Fernandez displayed during an upset win over Mirra Andreeva. "I told her the main thing was to work every single point and mix it up with coming to the net and she did," he said. "She’s a helluva athlete and she showed it today."
Shelton continues National Bank Open title defence with a straight set win over Bergs
American tennis star and reigning National Bank Open winner Ben Shelton continued his title defence with a dominant straight set win over Zizou Bergs on Friday to advance to the Round of 16 in Montreal.
'It's been a while': Fernandez regains momentum thanks to mental work
Leylah Annie Fernandez upset No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva on Friday to record her first top-10 win in more than a year. The 23-year-old Canadian told TSN "it's been a while" since she felt that good in a match. Fernandez believes working hard on her mental game is now paying off in Toronto.
Masters: Fernandez is 'feeling momentum behind her game' as she rolls into Round of 16
TSN's Mark Masters joins SportsCentre to breakdown Leylah Annie Fernandez's upset win over Mirra Andreeva Friday to advance to the Round of 16 at the National Bank Open.
Venus on doubles reunion with Serena: 'Hopefully we can pick up right where we left off'
After an injury prevented Serena Williams from playing doubles with Venus at Wimbledon, the sisters are finally reuniting next week in Cincinnati. "I think the whole world was looking forward to Wimbledon, and it just didn't end up the way we had hoped," Venus said. "Hopefully we can get on the court and get back into the swing of things and pick up right where we left off."
Venus Williams on 'world star' Eala: 'We both thrive in pressure situations'
Venus Williams and Alex Eala were all smiles on Thursday despite dropping their first-round doubles match in Toronto. "The fact that I got to play with Venus is like an amazing highlight to my career," Eala said. Venus initiated the partnership. "I think we both thrive in pressure situations," the 46-year-old said. "Alex is a world star. She's just incredible."
Norrie upsets No. 3 ranked de Minaur at National Bank Open
After dropping the first set, Cameron Norrie battled back in a big way against the No. 3 ranked Alex de Minaur, taking the next set in a long tiebreak and dominating the final set to earn the upset victory.
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