Thursday, August 6 Toronto Preview: Sabalenka Back Under the Lights on Centre Court; Doubles Play Begins

Aryna Sabalenka will kick off Centre Court’s evening session once again following her straight-sets victory over Moyuka Uchijima on Tuesday, aiming to extend her expressive streak on hard courts. 

It’s also the start of doubles play, featuring the highly-anticipated partnership of Alexandra Eala and Venus Williams, plus a trio of Canadians on Court 1.

Here’s a peek at Thursday’s order of play and what’s happening around the grounds.

On-court Action

Iga Swiatek is a win away from returning to the National Bank Open fourth round. The Pole won rather comfortably in Tuesday’s opening match and will be first on Centre Court again on Thursday as she meets Viktorija Golubic at 12:30 pm.

Next, it’s another tight turnaround for two-time NBO champion Jessica Pegula. The American’s third-round contest against Kamilla Rakhimova will mark her third match in four days, following the Washington final on Monday and her opener in Toronto just a day ago. 

The night session is packed with fan favourites, leading off with world No. 1 Sabalenka taking on Shuai Zhang at 7 pm. The top seed has won 13 straight hard-court matches, completing the Sunshine Double over that span. Then, it’s night two of Eala-Mania as the Filipino sensation teams with 14-time Grand Slam doubles titlist Williams to battle Miyu Kato and Liudmila Samsonova in round one of doubles.

Read also: Cross exits after second-round loss to Li

Grandstand’s lineup will have two Top 25 matchups, with No. 15 Diana Shnaider against No. 17 Anna Kalinskaya then No. 10 Marta Kostyuk playing No. 19 Madison Keys.

Canadian doubles No. 1 Gabriela Dabrowski will begin her search for a second National Bank Open title on Thursday. The Ottawan re-pairs with Ekaterina Alexandrova after Luisa Stefani pulled out to take on Coco Gauff and Caty McNally, going second on Court 1.

Read also: Toronto Day 5 Recap Served Up by Sobeys - Fernandez, Eala Ignite Crowd on Centre Court

More Canadian content will follow as the Fernandez sisters, Leylah and Bianca, reunite for the third straight time in Toronto. They reached the semifinals in their last appearance together in the Ontario capital. The Lavalloise duo opens against No. 6 seeds Elise Mertens and Shnaider.

Around the Grounds

National Bank will help you stay cool and hydrated on Thursday, giving away water bottles as you enter Sobeys Stadium for the day and night session. Fill them up at one of our water-filling stations around the grounds.

Check out the main stage for some live performances throughout the day, starting with Nastya at 2 pm then the Jade Hilton Trio at 5 pm.

On your way out from the day session, grab a complimentary KIND Bar at the main gate while quantities last. Olé has you covered for the night session with some cans for the road.

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

Feature Photo : Morgan Givens/Wick Photography for National Bank Open