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Canadian Open women’s favourites
With the grass-court season over, the players are heading to the hardcourt now. The world-leading women’s tennis stars will compete in the National Bank Open for a master’s title.
The tournament is already making the headlines before even starting, following the withdrawal of world number one Aryna Sabalenka, citing fatigue. Three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur and Paula Badosa are other prominent names who won’t participate in an event that resumes on July 27. Here are our favorites in Montreal.
1. Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula will enter the main draw as the overwhelming favorite to win the title. In the last two editions of the event, Pegula has been untouchable, winning the Montreal title twice in a row. The 31-year-old American made history by becoming the first woman in 24 years to win back-to-back titles since Martina Hingis in 2000. Pegula, a 2024 US Open finalist, is on the verge of making history by becoming the first woman to three-peat in a tournament since her compatriot Monica Seles in 1997. Despite not having a great year as yet, with the big achievement thus far being reaching the Miami Open final, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka, Pegula is usually performing strongly in the second half of the year.
2. Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff will be a top-seeded player in the draw. Gauff has a terrible record in Montreal. On four occasions, Gauff has reached the quarter-finals, on three occasions, and was dumped in the round of 16 once, which was last year by Diana Shnaider in a straight set. Since winning the French Open, the 21-year-old American struggled in the grass-court season, losing in the first round at both the German and Wimbledon Open. The former US Open Champion will want to make a statement and is no doubt a dangerous player to clinch the title.
3. Iga Swiatek
The lady in red hot form in the world now, Iga Swiatek, will be hoping to win the Canadian title for the first time in her career. The 24-year-old Polish starlet is riding on 11 victories in a row, including winning two titles. In late June, she won the Hamburg Open, defeating Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5. Then she went to claim the Wimbledon Open in an emphatic, dominant 6-0, 6-0 performance over Amanda Anisimova. Will enter the draw as the second-seeded player and will feel the chances to win a title are high.
4. Mirra Andreeva
Following a burst into scenes last year, Mirra Andreeva has done absolutely well to maintain the level of consistency even this season. In the three Grand Slams, she has managed to reach the Quarter-finals twice and crashed out of the last 16 once. In the master’s circuit, the 18-year-old has been delivering remarkable performances. She had clinched two titles, namely Dubai and Indian Wells, becoming the youngest female player to win back-to-back WTA 1000 finals. Known as one of the strong competitors this year, Andreeva will be among the players to watch out for.
5. Jasmine Paolini
Jasmine Paolini is a relatively late bloomer. At the age of 29, Paolini is enjoying tennis and delivering wonderful performances. Following reaching the two Grand Slam finals( French and Wimbledon) last year, Paolini has recorded strong showings this season to replicate that form. Already this year, she has captured the Master’s trophy winning the Italian Open on home soil after overcoming Coco Gauff in the final. In the Miami Open, she lost in the semi-finals to Aryna Sabalenka. Her good track record in the master’s events put her in contention for a title in Canada.