After taking the first set, Canadian Denis Shapovalov dropped the second set before retiring in the third as Zachary Svajda won the match 6-4, 6-4, 3-0 (RET). Shapovalov fractured a rib at Queen's Club and also retired from his Wimbledon opener in June before returning to competition last week in Los Cabos, where he reached the final.
Alexandra Eala is excited to play in front of a sellout crowd on Wednesday night in her Toronto debut. "It's nice to see that the Filipino community is really showing up and they're enjoying tennis," the 21-year-old said. "I hope to give them something, a new experience and a joyful experience."
Canadian wildcard Katherine Sebov will draw "a lot of confidence" from stressing World No. 11 Marta Kostyuk in the first set of Tuesday's loss. The 27-year-old from Toronto appreciate all the support from the home fans. "I really enjoyed the atmosphere," Sebov said. "It's what I was born to do."
Leylah Annie Fernandez's father and coach, Jorge, talks to TSN about the decision to add Eric Hechtman to the team and how the new partnership will work. Jorge is hoping a loud Toronto crowd will spark his daughter in Wednesday's opening match in Toronto.
Kayla Cross picked up her first WTA win on Monday at the National Bank Open. "After watching her yesterday, I believe even more," said coach Rob Steckley. "I've always seen potential ... I think a big maturity shift has happened after she went to college."
Alexander Eala mania is taking the National Bank Open by storm. "She's such an unheard of fan favourite," said Toronto tournament director Karl Hale. "She sold out Wednesday in 30 minutes." Eala will partner with Venus Williams in doubles with their opening match also getting the prime time treatment.
In just her fourth tournament back from a long injury layoff, Rebecca Marino felt good about her level of play despite a loss Monday night in Toronto. The 35-year-old did not hesitate to jump back onto tour despite just getting married. "The big joke is I'm here on the honeymoon," she said.
Carol Zhao, who will retire at the end of the season, was honoured with an on-court ceremony after losing her final National Bank Open match. "Having my family out there, having my coaches and team, definitely was trying really hard not to cry," said the 31-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont. "Didn't expect to have such a great atmosphere."
Bianca Andreescu led 5-2 and held four set points against Nikola Bartunkova, but could not put away the World No. 42 on Monday and lost 7-5, 6-4. What went wrong? "I wish I knew," the 26-year-old wildcard said. "I feel like I'm letting my team down, my family down sometimes, the supporters."
Bianca Andreescu joins Mark Masters after her first round loss at the National Bank Open. She discusses a range of emotions after the loss but says she always has good memories when playing in Toronto.
Bianca Andreescu fell 7-5, 6-4 to Czechia's Nikola Bartunkova in first-round singles action at the National Bank Open on Monday.
Canadian tennis player Kayla Cross meets with the media after her first round win in Toronto over 30-year old Katie Boulter.
Kayla Cross discusses her nerves on match point against Katie Boulter and the pure shock after she won the match and advanced out of the first round at the National Bank Open.
Cadence Brace lost in her first round matchup at the National Bank Open to McCartney Kessler. She joined Mark Masters afterwards to discuss the experience and what her tennis future holds.
Eric Hechtman, who previously worked with Venus and Serena Williams, is now coaching Leylah Annie Fernandez. "Our philosophies are very similar," Hechtman told TSN. "Very competitive. We want to accomplish a lot ... My goal coming in is to help them get to the next stage and win a slam."
Kamilla Rakhimova sealed an opening-round win over Venus Williams at the National Bank Open by winning nine of the last 10 games in a 6-4, 6-1 victory.
Noelle van Lottum talks to TSN about what it will take for Bianca Andreescu to get back to the top 30 and breaks down how a new coach may boost Leylah Annie Fernandez. Tennis Canada's head of women's tennis also offers her perspective on Katherine Sebov's "feisty" win on Sunday.
Noelle van Lottum, the head of women's tennis at Tennis Canada, is preaching patience when it comes to Vicky Mboko's recovery from a knee injury. "We have to be careful not to start too early and she gets injured again," van Lottum said. "Hopefully she can play the Asian tour."
Leylah Annie Fernandez's title defence at the Mubadala DC Open ended in the second round after Alexandra Eala beat her in straight sets. Eala converted four of nine break points and won 63.3 per cent of the points on Fernandez’s second serve to take the match in one hour 53 minutes.
Leylah Annie Fernandez started her title defence at the Mubadala DC Open strong with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 win over Magda Linette in the first round on Monday.
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