NBO in Focus: Wimbledon to have first-time…

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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: 25

Serena, Rybakina Among Notable Wimbledon Exits

For the tenth-straight time, there will be a first-time Wimbledon champion in ladies’ singles.

Serena Williams headlined the list of former titlists with her return to singles at the All-England Club. The seven-time champion impressed despite having not played a tour-level singles match in four years, forcing a decider against 20-year-old Maya Joint before ultimately losing the final set 6-3.

Elena Rybakina, 2022 Wimbledon champion, fell to No. 25 Elise Mertens in her third-round match. It was just the second time that the Kazakhstani failed to reach the second week at The Championships, also losing in round three last year.

Barbora Krejcikova was the most successful of the former-Wimbledon champions. The 2024 titlist stunned Roland-Garros champion Mirra Andreeva from a set down on her way to the fourth round, but the Czech’s run ended there to compatriot Karolina Muchova.

The results opened the door for world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to get her hands on the Venus Rosewater Dish. However, the four-time major winner ran into Naomi Osaka in round four, who conceded just five of 38 points behind her first serve en route to the 6-2, 7-6(2) victory. The Japanese earned her first win over Sabalenka since the 2018 US Open, when she hoisted her maiden Grand Slam trophy.

Swiatek Ousted by Eala in Round Three

Alexandra Eala was probably the last player Iga Swiatek wanted to see during her Wimbledon title defence. The Filipino arrived at the All-England Club with four Top 10 wins this year – two coming on the lawn against Elena Rybakina (2) and Elina Svitolina (8) in Berlin.

Eala’s next shot at a Top 10 victory was a chance to dethrone Swiatek in the Wimbledon third round. After winning a tight 20-point tiebreaker in the opening set, the 21-year-old secured back-to-back breaks to begin the second as she punched her ticket into the second week, becoming the first Filipino to do so.

“Maybe for someone like [Swiatek], who won so many Slams, or maybe for someone like Serena or Venus, this achievement may seem small. But for someone who grew up in the Philippines – I went to train with my brother and my grandfather every day after school, with my ruffled socks and light-up shoes and chubby cheeks, so this is everything,” Eala said in her post-match interview.

The world No. 32 was eliminated in the fourth round by former-Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini, but Eala continues to make history for her country and be a threat to the WTA’s top players ahead of the North American hard-court swing.

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: Martin Sidorjak