Toronto Day 1 Recap Served Up by Sobeys: Main Draw Set at the Tennis Playground

Thousands of excited tennis fans flocked to the grounds at Sobey’s Stadium for the opening day of the tournament. On court, the final 16 spots in the main draw were up for grabs in qualifying matches. Around the grounds, 407 ETR Family Weekend provided plenty of off-court fun for fans of all ages.

Here is the Day 1 Recap Served Up by Sobeys:

Match Results

It was a tough day for Canadians looking to qualify for three of the final spots in the main draw.

Isabella Marton earned her Saturday spot via a pre-qualifying tournament for young Canadian players. Unfortunately for the 18-year-old, she was unable to overcome her veteran opponent, falling to 38-year-old Tatjana Maria 6-1, 6-4. Maria, a four-time winner on the WTA Tour and 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist, last won a title at Queen’s Club in 2025.

Fellow Canadian teenager Avery Alexander also failed to qualify for the main draw as she dropped her do-or-die match to Polina Kudermetova 6-4, 6-4. The 16-year-old, who has a 2-4 record across four World Tennis Tour events this year, came into this weekend No. 1253 in the WTA rankings. 

Listen: Toronto in 10 - Qualifying and On-Site Food Options

In the final match on Court 1, Canadian Ana Grubor came agonizingly close to reaching the first WTA main draw of her career. The 22-year-old pushed the top seed Maya Joint to match point in the third-set tiebreaker but was unable to finish it off. After Grubor went up 7-6 in the tiebreak, Joint won three straight points to clinch the match and earn her spot in the main draw. 

Olympic gold medallist Qinwen Zheng lost her qualification match to Lanlana Tararudee. The former world No. 4 continues to struggle as she tries to find her form following elbow surgery last July. The 23-year-old entered the weekend as the world No. 123.

Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens booked her spot in the main draw with a comeback 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 win over Harriet Dart. 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin was not so lucky, falling to Lucrezia Stefanini 7-5, 1-6, 6-2.

CLICK HERE for the full qualifying results from Saturday.

Main draw play is scheduled to begin Sunday.

Read also: Leylah Annie Fernandez Looks to Make Dream a Reality in Toronto

Across The Grounds

Fans came out to enjoy all the activities on the grounds at the annual 407 ETR Family Weekend, including caricature artists, arts and crafts, character appearances, and games where fans can test their tennis skills.

It wasn’t just fans who enjoyed the Day 1 festivities, as a couple of Canadian tennis stars also came to soak up the atmosphere on Saturday afternoon.

Leylah Annie Fernandez showed off her singing skills and joined fans for the lunchtime finish-the-lyric singing session. Bianca Andreescu helped provide a midday break for the crowd, joining the afternoon yoga session on the Tennis Canada Main Stage. 

Fans also got up close and personal with some of tennis’ biggest stars, including world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, two-time Grand Slam winner Coco Gauff, and 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys. All three women signed autographs and answered fans’ burning questions. 

Read also: Rising Stars Eala, Noskova on collision course; Sabalenka-Anisimova Eyeing Toronto Rematch

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