With manic Monday in the rear-view, action is set to press on from the National Bank Open presented by Rogers. We again have a buffet of spectacular tennis Tuesday across the grounds in Toronto!
Bianca Andreescu will return, Emma Raducanu debuts, and even Naomi Osaka is back on the courts and set to compete at #NBO22.
Here are four storylines to watch ahead of Tuesday on our 407 ETR Daily Commute!
BIBI IS BACK
She has officially returned to her home tournament!
Yes, Mississauga-native Bianca Andreescu is back in the Six to compete at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, the site of her memorable and historic title run from just three seasons ago.
Andreescu, then a bright eyed 19-year-old, became just the second Canadian woman to win the home event. Weeks later, she’d become the first Canadian singles Grand Slam champion in tennis history, defeating Serena Williams 6-3, 7-5 to win the US Open.
Now she is on the surface she loves in the city she adores.
Bianca explained what it felt like to return to the site of that 2019 crown.
“It’s been amazing how much emotions have been running through my body and being able to interact with some of the fans after my practice was really nice.”
She’s been more than thrilled to also share her time off court meeting with her adoring fans, and the ball crew.
She’ll have a tough test in the opening round against last week’s San Jose champion Daria Kasatkina, although Andreescu does hold a 2-0 edge in their head-to-head. The matchup will lead off the night session at 7 PM ET.
RADUCANU DEBUTS, REBECCA MARINO KICKS THINGS OFF
She produced arguably the most surprising Grand Slam singles title in tennis history when she came through qualifying to win last year’s US Open from Flushing Meadows.
Now Emma Raducanu is set to electrify Canadian crowds, making her first ever visit to the National Bank Open as a tour professional.
Little known fact, Emma was also born in Toronto!
She moved to England at the age of two with her parents.
She will showdown against last year’s champion from Montreal, Camila Giorgi of Italy. Giorgi packs immense firepower, Raducanu defends the court brilliantly.
Get the popcorn ready for this one.
Canadian Rebecca Marino, also born in Toronto, will kick off the Centre Court day session on Sobeys Stadium and is playing some high quality tennis of late.
She returned inside the top 100 of the rankings last month for the first time since 2012, and is on the heels of a great quarter-finals run in Washington at the Citi Open. She’ll square off with Zheng Qinwen of China.
GRANDSTAND SHOWCASES GOLD MEDALIST BENCIC, FRENCH OPEN FINALIST COCO
She had her true breakthrough performance in 2015, winning the singles trophy in Canada at just 17 years of age.
Now 2015 National Bank Open champion Belinda Bencic is poised to again showcase her scintillating skills at on the grounds of Toronto.
A gold medalist in Tokyo, Belinda Bencic has one of the finest two-handed backhands on the tour and is a steely and determined competitor. The Swiss talent has had a strong 2022, winning a title earlier this season in Charleston. She meets Tereza Martincova on the National Bank Grandstand later in the afternoon.
Teenage phenom Coco Gauff plays the first match up on the Grandstand in an all-American affair against qualifier Madison Brengle.
Gauff has superstardom written all over her with her refreshing and honest personality, competitive spirit, and her athletic and high-level tennis. Coco reached her maiden Slam final earlier this season at the French Open and is now right on the cusp of the Top 10 in the rankings.
She’s first up at 11 AM ET!
FOUR-TIME SLAM WINNER NAOMI OSAKA READY FOR SPOTLIGHT ON SOBEYS STADIUM
Don’t let her ranking of No. 39 fool you. Naomi Osaka is one of the best hard court tennis players on the planet.
After missing Wimbledon, the four-time Grand Slam singles champion is back and set to showcase her aggressive baseline skills in Toronto once again. Crowds in Canada last saw Osaka here in 2019, losing a great encounter to eventual finalist and legend Serena Williams.
Osaka has been particularly introspective on Twitter of late and seems to have found great peace of mind.
Momentum and match play will be just the spark to ignite a run for Osaka to unleash her weapons and overwhelming brand of power tennis. She gets heavyweight clash against 37-year-old Estonian veteran Kaia Kanepi.
Play begins at Sobeys Stadium at 11 AM.
Featured in this news
Related news
