Saturday, August 8 Toronto Preview: Kostyuk, Swiatek Clash in Round Four as TennisFest Begins

Saturday’s slate is stacked with two all-Top 10 clashes, multiple former NBO champions, and the WTA’s No. 1.

On top of that, Sobeys Stadium has all-day Happy Hour so fans can enjoy the festivities without burning through their pocket. See what opening day of TennisFest Weekend has to offer in August 8’s preview.

On-court Action

Get your popcorn out for the first match on Centre Court as Iga Swiatek meets Marta Kostyuk in an all-Top 10 affair. Swiatek won both previous meetings on hard court, most recently in Cincinnati 2024, but Kostyuk is rocking a WTA-best 23-2 record since April, including a win over the Pole in her former kingdom at Roland-Garros. Play starts at 12:30 pm.

Jessica Pegula is back on the court – again – in following the match. The American No. 1 will play world No. 17 Diana Shnaider, her fifth match in six days across singles and doubles play. The two-time NBO champion battled through multiple rain delays before eventually beating Kamilla Rakhimova in round three.

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka kicks off the night session once again, facing world No. 19 Ekaterina Alexandrova at 7 pm. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 5-4.

The National Bank Open is ending the night with another Top10 clash. Former NBO champion Elina Svitolina faces a past finalist in Amanda Anisimova. Svitolina cruised by Anastasia Potapova in an hour to reach the fourth round, while Anisimova had to battle from a set down to defeat Nikola Bartunkova.

Two top-five seeded doubles teams will play in their second matches in Toronto:

• [5] Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)/Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) vs Ulrikke Eikeri (NOR)/Quinn Gleason (USA) – second on Grandstand
• [3] Sara Errani (ITA)/Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) vs Miyu Kato (JPN)/Liudmila Samsonova – order TBA

Around the Grounds

Let CELSIUS TennisFest Weekend begin!

Sobeys Stadium will have everything from all-day Happy Hour on food and drink, live music, and appearances by some big names in the Toronto sports world.

During the day, Canada’s first WNBA team – the Toronto Tempo – will host some interactive basketball drills at 11 am on Court 5, with a chance to win some Tempo tickets and merch to go along with it. Right after that, have a go at some wheelchair tennis starting at 3:30 pm.

The main stage fun kicks off at 1:30 pm. Hold a paintbrush in one hand and a drink in the other with Paint & Sip, while you listen to beats from DJ Natalie. There’ll be more live music at Stella Racquet Club at 3:30 as the Christian James Band host String & Sips.

Read also: Fernandez Shocks Andreeva, Eala Fights On

Be sure to arrive early during the day to receive limited-edition TennisFest totes sponsored by Tennis Canada, then hop in a time machine back to the 80s for Retro Night presented by IRIS. Bring out your best retro outfit and listen to the best music from the era thanks to DJ ESB.

Beginning the night session is a very special edition of TennisTalk. It’s a focus on the rise of women’s sports in Toronto with notable guests:

• Reetu Gupta – Part of the Tempo’s ownership group
• Blayre Turnbull – Toronto Sceptres captain
• Helena Ruken – AFC Toronto CEO
• Terri Temelini – Director of Women and Girls’ Advancement for Tennis Canada

Listen: Tennis Talk - Diana Shnaider on her Career Year

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 : Mark Blinch/Wick Photography for National Bank Open