Gauff Advances to Toronto Semis as Bencic Withdraws with Hip Injury
TORONTO -- Coco Gauff is through to her first-ever National Bank Open semifinal, but not in the way she envisioned. Belinda Bencic withdrew from their Tuesday quarterfinal due to a hip injury, handing Gauff a walkover and a spot in the final four in Toronto.
Bencic, the 2015 Toronto champion, had battled through a nagging injury since Wimbledon, but ultimately could not take the court at Sobeys Stadium. "I am really sorry to not be able to compete tonight," Bencic said in a statement, addressing the crowd. "This is an amazing tournament, and I was really looking forward to playing in front of the great fans here in Toronto. I tried everything possible to be ready for tonight."
The 2015 champion had reached the quarterfinals with wins over Sloane Stephens, Taylor Townsend, and Alexandra Eala. She had been playing with significant taping on her leg and admitted after her third-round marathon against Townsend, which lasted 3 hours and 24 minutes, that she was not at full fitness.
"I do feel like I'm not up to fitness yet, because I had some challenges after Wimbledon a little bit, not being able to practice so much," Bencic said after her win over Eala. She is expected to compete in Cincinnati next.
With Bencic out, Gauff now awaits the winner of the delayed quarterfinal between Elena Rybakina and Naomi Osaka, which was rescheduled to later Tuesday evening. Gauff will play the semifinal on Wednesday for a spot in Thursday's title match.
Semifinal Showdowns: Swiatek vs. Svitolina Headline a Stacked Final Four
The Toronto semifinals will feature two compelling top-10 matchups on Wednesday. World No. 8 Iga Swiatek, who has dropped only one set all week, will face 2017 champion Elina Svitolina. Later, Gauff will take on the winner of Rybakina-Osaka.
Svitolina extended her WTA 1000 winning streak to 10 matches with a 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 comeback over Ekaterina Alexandrova on Monday. The Ukrainian, seeded ninth, has reached her fourth WTA 1000 semifinal of the season – the most of any player in 2026 – and has won both prior meetings against Swiatek this year, at Indian Wells and Rome.
"We played many times, practiced many times as well, so we know each other's game," Svitolina said. "It's going to be about trying to find the keys in that game, trying to find the particular patterns that will work against her."
Swiatek, working with new coach Francisco Roig, has looked dominant in Toronto, winning most of her sets by comfortable margins. But Svitolina has proven she has the code to counter Swiatek's game, making this a tantalizing rematch.
A 2000s Takeover: ATP's Youngest Quarterfinal Field Ever in Montreal
While the women's draw features established stars, the men's Canadian Open in Montreal has been defined by a youth movement. For the first time in ATP Masters 1000 history, the quarterfinal field consists entirely of players born in the 2000s.
At 25, American Brandon Nakashima is the elder statesman of the group, while 19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jódar is the youngest. The list also includes Ben Shelton, João Fonseca, and Jakub Menšík, reflecting a generational shift in men's tennis.
The absence of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic from the tournament opened the door, but the young players have seized the opportunity. Shelton beat Fonseca 6-3, 7-6(3) to advance, and will face Menšík in the semifinals.
"It's interesting to look at. I think it's cool, obviously, to see the 'Next Gen' do so well," Shelton said. "It is guys who've had massive breakthrough seasons and are continuing to inch towards the top of the game."
This milestone puts pressure on the generation just above them. If players in their late 20s aren't taking advantage of the top stars' absences, the 2000s-born players are happy to lap up the experience and rankings points.
What This Means: Changing of the Guard and a Wide-Open US Open
The Toronto Open has become a microcosm of the broader tennis landscape. On the women's side, the late-week matches feature a mix of proven champions and rising contenders. On the men's side, the all-2000s quarterfinal is a clear signal that the next generation is no longer knocking on the door – they're already inside.
For players like Gauff, reaching her first Toronto semifinal is a milestone, but the bigger prize is building momentum heading into the US Open. For Svitolina, her form on hard courts suggests she could be a dark horse at Flushing Meadows. And for the ATP's young guns, every match in a Masters 1000 is a chance to prove they belong on the game's biggest stages.
As the National Bank Open winds down, the spotlight shifts to who can carry this form into the season's final Grand Slam. The answers from Toronto will shape the narratives heading into New York.
Follow the latest from Toronto, including Naomi Osaka's top-10 return looming as she eyes a semifinal berth, and the Fonseca-Shelton clash that set up the all-2000s quarterfinals.
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