NBO in Focus: Krejcikova Wins First Title Since…

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Welcome to NBO in Focus. Every week, we will keep you updated on all the action on the WTA Tour as we build towards the National Bank Open in Toronto, which takes place from Aug. 1 to Aug. 13.

Days until National Bank Open: 11

Krejcikova Back in WTA Winner’s Circle in Athens

Barbora Krejcikova was a WTA champion once again on Sunday, just over two years to the day since she hoisted the Wimbledon trophy in 2024.

The No. 3 seed breezed through her opening two matches at the Athens Open, conceding only eight games before ousting former world No. 4 Qinwen Zheng in the quarter-finals, winning in straight sets again to keep her perfect run intact. Krejcikova’s toughest test came in the semis against top-seed Clara Tauson as she needed three sets to book a place into her first hard-court final in three years.

The Czech No. 4 then played spoiler in the title match, beating home favourite Maria Sakkari in the WTA’s first Athens event in 35 years. The Greek was up a break in both sets, but Krejcikova was able to erase each deficit and hoist her ninth-career WTA trophy.

“It's something very special and incredible, and it's a unique experience, because I didn't feel like this for such a long period,” the Czech said to the press post match. “I'm just very happy, and I'm going to enjoy every moment now.”

The WTA has now had a Czech champion in five of the last seven tournaments, with Linda Noskova winning two titles – Berlin and Wimbledon.

Sherif Wins First Tour Title in Four Years

Mayar Sherif was also back in a WTA winner’s circle for the first time in multiple years. The Egyptian took down two top-ten seeds on her way to the Iasi Open final, defeating Yulia Putintseva (9) and Oleksandra Oliynykova (3). The former world No. 31 then clinched the title without holding championship point as Paula Badosa was forced to retire in the second set of the final.

The Iasi title was Sherif’s first on tour (250 or higher) since Parma in 2022. The 30-year-old is now unbeaten in her last 15 matches on clay, winning WTA 125 titles Brescia and Contrexeville prior to her most recent triumph.

Sherif was the WTA Top 100’s biggest mover, jumping 42-spots up to No. 55 in the rankings.

All winners from last week:

WTA 250 Athens

Women’s Singles: Barbora Krejcikova (1/9)* d. Maria Sakkari
Women’s Doubles: Hao-Ching Chan/Miyu Kato d. Maia Lumsden/Qianhui Tang

WTA 250 Iasi

Women’s Singles: Maya Sherif (1/2)* d. Paula Badosa (ret.)
Women’s Doubles: Anastasia Detiuc/Irina Khromacheva d. Alina Charaeva/Zhibek Kulambayeva

*(2026 titles/career titles)

Coming up on Tour

Another Czech Champion?

The WTA Tour may have another Czech titlist this week as some of the nation’s best touch down in the Czech capital of Prague. All top-five seeds are Czech, including defending-champion Marie Bouzkova at No. 1 and Athens winner Krejcikova at No. 2.

The WTA 250 event in Prague will be the final European hard-court tournament before the North American swing kicks off in Washington and Memphis next week.

The WTA's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo: Rob Prange