Osaka, Top Seeds Set Sights on Toronto Glory Ahead of US Open
TORONTO — The National Bank Open in Toronto is in full swing this week, with the WTA's top talent battling through a rain-affected opening rounds at the hard-court 1000-level event. As of Tuesday, August 4, second-round action is underway, featuring former World No. 1 Iga Świątek, 2026 Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, who is aiming to improve her historically mixed results in Toronto as she builds toward the US Open.
Osaka, seeded 11th, opened her campaign Monday against Hungary's Panna Udvardy, who advanced after Germany's Eva Lys retired with an injury. The Japanese star is coming off a semi-final run in Washington, where she lost to eventual champion Alexandra Eala. Osaka's best result in Toronto came in 2019, when she reached the quarter-finals, and she acknowledged the challenge of adapting to the city's conditions.
"I haven't historically played super, super well here, so I'm just hoping to change that this year," Osaka said in pre-tournament remarks. "I can try to recall Montreal, but I would like to kind of treat the cities separately."
Her path forward is far from easy. Osaka is drawn into the same quarter as second-seeded Rybakina, and could face fifth-seeded French Open champion Mirra Andreeva in the fourth round. Andreeva, who suffered a shock second-round exit at Wimbledon, began her Toronto campaign with a straight-sets win over veteran Karolína Plíšková on Monday.
Świątek, the 2022 Toronto champion, returned to the court Tuesday after a month-long break, taking on Czech left-hander Sara Bejlek. The Polish star, who has shown signs of regression over the past two seasons but remains a formidable baseline force, is expected to advance despite possible rust from her layoff.
Rain Disruptions, Early Upsets Shape the Draw
The tournament, which alternates between Toronto and Montreal each year, has already been hit by two rain-affected days, forcing a packed schedule of first-round matches and pushing some seeded players into delayed openers. Organizers are working to keep the event on track ahead of the August 13 final, with the US Open looming on August 31.
Among the notable first-round winners, American McCartney Kessler defeated wild card Cadence Brace in straight sets, while Venus Williams, at 46, showed she can still compete, rallying past Kamilla Rakhimova in three sets. Canadian hopes rest on Leylah Fernandez and Bianca Andreescu, both of whom won their opening matches. Fernandez, a former US Open finalist, overcame Anhelina Kalinina, while Andreescu — the 2019 champion — beat Peyton Stearns in a tight three-setter.
Victoria Mboko, the defending champion, is notably absent this year due to injury, leaving the field wide open. Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed and world No. 1, received a bye into the second round and will begin her campaign later this week.
Toronto's Tennis Week Coincides with Civic Holiday Attractions
For fans in Toronto, the tournament is only part of the story. The first full week of August coincides with the civic holiday weekend, and the city is buzzing with visitors taking advantage of open attractions and shopping. While banks and government offices closed Monday, major venues such as the CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, and Toronto Zoo remained open, and malls like the Eaton Centre and Yorkdale extended hours. Transit adjustments, including a delayed start on Line 6 due to planned signalling upgrades, have not dampened the festival-like atmosphere around the tennis grounds.
The tournament's presence adds to a rich sporting summer in Toronto, which has also seen the Blue Jays fighting for playoff positioning and the Tempo making waves in women's basketball. But this week, all eyes are on the hard courts at Sobeys Stadium, where the world's best are chasing valuable ranking points and momentum.
A Key Test on the Road to the US Open
The Toronto Open serves as a critical barometer for the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year. For players like Osaka, who reached the semi-finals in New York last year, a deep run here would provide confidence. For others, like Świątek, who has struggled to replicate her earlier dominance, a strong showing could signal a resurgence.
The broader trend this season has been one of unpredictability, with unexpected champions and early exits across the tour. Eala's victory in Washington last week underscored the depth of talent, and the Toronto draw reflects that unpredictability—qualifiers have already ousted several seeded players, and the rain has only added to the chaos.
As the tournament progresses, the storylines will sharpen: Can Osaka finally conquer Toronto? Will Rybakina or Andreeva emerge as the hard-court favorite? Can Andreescu or Fernandez delight the home crowd? Rain disruptions earlier in Montreal and the Blue Jays' recent performances have captured headlines, but this week, tennis takes center stage in Ontario.
With the top seeds finally taking the court, the next few days promise high drama. The winner in Toronto will not only claim a prestigious title but also head to the US Open with a significant psychological edge—and that, as much as any ranking point, is the prize at stake.
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