A mix of first-and second-round action takes place at IGA Stadium on Tuesday, which also marks Rogers First Set Day – a chance for youngsters to play on a mini-court with certified tennis instructors.
There’s also more music on offer, provided by Maxime Boivin and Jules.
Fernandez vs. Joint
Like Félix Auger-Aliassime last year, Leylah Annie Fernandez enters her hometown tournament with plenty of matches under her belt. Auger-Aliassime was coming off a lengthy stay at the Olympics, then looked jaded in Montreal in his opener against Flavio Cobolli.
Fast forward 12 months and Fernandez’s title in Washington on Sunday means the lefty has a quick turnaround, too, in taking on Maya Joint. Some would say it’s a good problem to have. Not much scouting might be needed, since Fernandez beat the fast rising 19-year-old (ranked 45) in Washington.
Joint won her second career title amid much drama, saving four match points to beat Fernandez’s fellow lefty, Alexandra Eala, in Eastbourne in June.
Mboko looks for another win
Toronto’s Victoria Mboko can’t stop winning in 2025. If putting together a 22-match winning streak at lower levels wasn’t enough, the 18-year-old recently won rounds at Wimbledon (as a lucky loser) and the French Open, before grabbing her first NBO win on Sunday.
Mboko fell short against Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff this year (not outclassed in either) but gets another crack at a Grand Slam winner in Sofia Kenin in the night session.
Kenin is coming off a 6-3, 6-0 loss to Taylor Townsend in Washington, when Townsend crunched 17 aces. Mboko hit 15 aces against Kimberly Birrell in the first round.
Gauff vs. ‘Danimal’
Teammates on the US Olympic team last year in Paris, Coco Gauff plays Danielle Collins to kick off the night session in the pair’s first ever head-to-head. Gauff being a two-time Grand Slam champion and Collins making a Grand Slam final means that, on paper, it’s a blockbuster.
Another American flourishing
With so many Americans higher up in the rankings -- Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Gauff and Amanda Anisimova have won or made Grand Slam finals since last September -- Hailey Baptiste might still be flying under the radar.
But Baptiste and her all-court game tackle Rybakina to kick off the night session at Rogers Court. Baptiste is enjoying her finest season so far, not far from her career best ranking of 48.
Photo: Amélie Caron
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