Canada's Leylah Annie Fernandez overwhelmed Mexico’s Renata Zarazua 6-2, 6-2 on home soil to cruise into the third round in Toronto. Fernandez represents the last Canadian hope in both the women’s and men’s singles draws at the National Bank Open, and will face Mirra Andreeva next in the Round of 32.
Mirra Andreeva dropped just two games in her Toronto opener, but is expecting a much stiffer challenge on Friday against Leylah Annie Fernandez. "It's going to be tough," said the reigning Roland Garros champ. "She's playing at home, so obviously the crowd is going to support her. She's an amazing player ... I'm sure that it's going to be a very entertaining match."
Coco Gauff prepared for her opening match in Toronto against lefty Kayla Day by practising with Canadian southpaw Kayla Cross. "A lot of great potential," the two-time major champ said. "She has a really good serve and forehand and it looks like she likes to get into the net sometimes. She has a promising future."
No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina overcame Daria Kasatkina in three sets, winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in 2 hours and 33 minutes to advance to the third round of the National Bank Open.
Tallon Griekspoor stunned top seed Alexander Zverev 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-4 at the National Bank Open on Wednesday to earn his third victory against a Top-5 opponent. The 30-year-old Dutchman struck 20 winners off the forehand and won 17 of 18 points when up at net.
Felix Auger-Aliassime ended his 10 year coaching relationship with Frederic Fontang after Wimbledon despite making the quarterfinals and achieving a career high ranking of No. 4. Fontang spoke to TSN about why now is the right time for the 25-year-old Montrealer to seek a new voice.
No. 4 seed Coco Gauff surged to a straight sets win over fellow American Kayla Day 6-2, 7-5 to earn her first-ever win in Toronto and advance to the third round of the National Bank Open.
Kayla Cross took pride in producing "a really high level" despite losing 7-6, 6-3 to Ann Li. "Being so close in score to someone who's top 30 is an unreal experience and gives me a lot of confidence," the 21-year-old from London, Ont. said. "Today was a little bit less nervy so I got to swing out a little more and just trying to keep playing aggressive and showing people what I'm made of."
London, Ontario native and wildcard Kayla Cross fell to No. 28 seeded American Ann Li 7-6 (2), 6-3 to exit the National Bank Open in the second round. Leylah Annie Fernandez is the last remaining Canadian woman in singles.
Canadian Gabriel Diallo was forced to retire with an apparent leg injury in his second-round match against Italy's Luciano Darderi at the National Bank Open on Tuesday. After dropping the first set, Diallo had a 3-2 lead in the second set when he decided he could no longer continue, and exited the court in Montreal with tears in his eyes.
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.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Japan's Moyuka Uchijima 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the third round of the National Bank Open in Toronto on Tuesday.
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.
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