Welcome to the Destination NBO by STM Every week, we will keep you updated on all the action on the WTA Tour as we build towards the National Bank Open in Montreal, which takes place from Jul. 26 to Aug. 7.
Days until National Bank Open: 25
Youth shine in Eastbourne
The Lexus Eastbourne Open featured the youngest WTA Tour final since the 1981 edition of the tournament. 19-year-old Maya Joint saved four championship points to beat 20-year-old qualifier Alexandra Eala 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(10) in a thrilling final.
Joint began the year ranked 119th but has now cracked the Top 50 for the first time thanks to her second title in the last two months.
Flirting with the Top 50 now is runner-up Eala. The WTA Tour’s first Filipino finalist was the biggest riser in the ranking, jumping 21 spots to No. 56.
Grand Slam main draw debut for Branstine
After earning her first WTA level win in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Canadian Carson Branstine capped off her 2025 grass season with another milestone – her first Grand Slam main draw.
The 24-year-old had a tricky path through Wimbledon qualifying but took down Roland-Garros semifinalist Lois Boisson and 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu before defeating Raluka Serban in three sets in the final round of qualifying.
Branstine’s first Grand Slam main draw opponent was none other than world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The Canadian couldn’t manage the upset but pushed hard in the second set, ultimately falling 6-1, 7-5.
Pegula completes trifecta of 2025 titles
World No. 3 Jessica Pegula was a winner again on the grass last week. After hoisting the trophy in Berlin a year ago, the Buffalo-native secured her third title of 2025 at the Bad Homburg Open to go along with wins on hard court in Austin and clay in Charleston.
Read also: WTA Power Rankings - Will There Be Another Wimbledon Surprise?
Pegula defeated fellow American Emma Navarro in the quarters and Czech Linda Noskova in the semis, both in three sets, before an impressive straight-set win over world No. 8 Iga Swiatek in the final.
However, the good grass form did not translate into Wimbledon as Pegula was upset in the first round at the All-England Club on Tuesday.
Read also: Vondrousova wins first title since 2023 Wimbledon
As for Swiatek, there are some promising signs heading into Wimbledon. The Pole has not fared well on the lawn in comparison to the other surfaces but Bad Homburg marked her first-career WTA grass final.
All winners from last week
WTA 500 - Bad Homburg
- Women’s Singles: Jessica Pegula (3/9) d. Iga Swiatek
- Women’s Doubles: Hanyu Guo/Alexandra Panova
WTA 250 – Eastbourne
- Women’s Singles: Maya Joint (2/2) d. Alexandra Eala
- Women’s Doubles: Marie Bouzkova/Olga Danilina
(2025 Titles/Career Titles)
The WTA's best return to Montreal this summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers July 26 to Aug. 7, 2025 at IGA Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!
Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak
