Canadian fans faced disappointment on Sunday at the National Bank Open as two homegrown favorites were eliminated. Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Quebec, fell to Japan’s Naomi Osaka, while Belinda Bencic of Switzerland defeated breakout star Alexandra Eala from the Philippines.
Fernandez, seeded 30th, lost to Osaka in straight sets after being broken at critical moments in the match. Despite a strong performance in the earlier rounds, Fernandez couldn’t maintain her momentum against the former world No. 1.
The Canadian crowd at Sobeys Stadium tried to rally behind Fernandez with chants of “Let’s Go, Leylah!” but Osaka’s solid serve and consistent play proved too much to handle. Fernandez acknowledged her missed opportunities and unforced errors that cost her the match.
In another match, Bencic dominated Eala to end the young player’s seven-match win streak following her recent WTA title in Washington. The day also saw wins for Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Coco Gauff of the United States, who advanced to the quarterfinals.
On the men’s side, defending champion Ben Shelton showcased his skills by defeating Brazilian player Joao Fonseca in a hard-fought match. Shelton’s powerful serves and comeback spirit propelled him to victory, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Jakub Mensik of Czechia.
As the tournament progresses, emerging talents like Learner Tien and Rafael Jodar are making their mark alongside established players. The National Bank Open has seen several upsets and surprises, with injuries affecting some of the top seeds. Shelton remains a strong contender as he aims to defend his title and continue his impressive run in Montreal.