Road to the NBO - Zheng defends title in Italy, Olympics are on the horizon

With the National Bank Open now closing in, the world’s best ready themselves for a big Olympic year in Paris!

Zheng Qinwen secured her first title of 2024 and three Canadians hope to make noise at the Summer Games.

Zheng wins third career title, Diana Shnaider takes home another trophy

China’s Zheng Qinwen, a top talent on the rise, enjoyed her big breakthrough at the beginning of the season, capitalizing on an advantageous draw and winning six matches en route to the finals of the Australian Open, where the 21-year-old finished runner-up to champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Now she has her third career title. The world no. 7 successfully defended her crown this past week in Italy, winning the Palermo Ladies Open on clay for a second consecutive year as she overcame Karolina Muchova 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in the final.

Zheng will have great memories of Toronto – she reached the quarter-finals of the National Bank Open two seasons ago.

In the meantime, 20-year-old Diana Shnaider confirmed herself as an all-surface threat, defeating veteran Aliaksandra Sasnovich in straight sets to win the Hungarian Grand Prix, her third title of 2024.

With the victory, the world no. 28 becomes the only player this season to rack up titles on every surface.

Iga is the favourite; three Canadian women to represent in Paris

For a second time this season, there will be an event at Roland-Garros!. Though the French Open wrapped up in June, the world’s top players now return to Paris for the Summer Olympic Games.

Given her pedigree on skill on the surface, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek is the clear-cut favourite to win gold this year. The 22-year-old has won the French Open in four of the last five editions and is coming off another dominant title run at the 2024 event.

Three women will represent Canada at the Games in tennis this summer with Leylah Annie Fernandez, Bianca Andreescu, and Gabriela Dabrowski all proudly donning the red and white.

Fernandez is back after a positive grass-court campaign which saw her reach a final in Eastbourne and make the quarterfinals of the Rothesay Classic in Birmingham.

Bianca Andreescu similarly had a positive grass swing, reaching her first final in two years at the Libema Open. She has also reached the third round in consecutive majors, twice losing to eventual finalist Jasmine Paolini of Italy.

Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski may be the strongest medal hopeful of all – the doubles specialist is ranked a career high no. 3 in the category, and is on the heels of a runner-up finish at Wimbledon with partner Erin Routliffe.

Ottawa’s Dabrowski may be the strongest medal hopeful of all – the doubles specialist is ranked a career high No. 3 and is on the heels of a runner-up finish at Wimbledon with partner Erin Routliffe. The 32-year-old’s poise and experience has paid dividends, as she’s reached six finals since last September, winning three titles including the US Open.

It will be her third time representing Canada at the Olympics.

The WTA's best return to Toronto this summer for the National Bank Open August 4 to 12 at Sobeys Stadium. Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!