Canadian aspirations were shattered on Sunday at the National Bank Open, putting an end to the excitement surrounding Eala-Mania. Leylah Fernandez from Laval, Que., faced a 6-4, 6-4 defeat against Japan’s Naomi Osaka in the fourth round at Sobeys Stadium. Following that, Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic secured a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Alexandra Eala, ending the impressive run of the rising star from the Philippines.
Fernandez, seeded 30th, experienced crucial breaks at 3-3 in both sets, leading to Osaka, the 11th seed, sealing the match with her sixth ace after a game lasting one hour and 22 minutes. Fernandez expressed regret over the outcome, mentioning that small decisions accumulated and impacted the match’s result.
Having previously caused an upset by defeating the fifth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia, Fernandez’s journey ended in the Round of 16. Despite several Canadian players, including former champion Bianca Andreescu, receiving wild-card entries, they were all eliminated in the early rounds.
In doubles matches, all five Canadian entries suffered defeats in their opening games. Notably, Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski, ranked third globally, played alongside a substitute partner due to Luisa Stefani of Brazil nursing an elbow injury.
The enthusiastic crowd at the center court cheered for Fernandez with “Let’s Go, Leylah!” chants during breaks on a pleasant evening at York University. Both players engaged in a battle of ground strokes, with Osaka showcasing strong serving skills and consistent gameplay that proved challenging for Fernandez to counter.
Fernandez acknowledged making mistakes and missing opportunities to capitalize on her lead, leading to Osaka’s victory and advancement to her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal since last year. Meanwhile, Eala, fresh off her triumph at the Washington Open, saw her seven-match winning streak come to a halt.
In the men’s singles, Ben Shelton displayed dominance against the emerging Brazilian player Joao Fonseca, securing a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory in the Round of 16 at IGA Stadium. Shelton rallied back from early breaks in both sets, showcasing strong serves and strategic gameplay amidst windy conditions.
Shelton, the fifth seed, is poised to defend his National Bank Open title following an impressive performance. He will face Jakub Mensik of Czechia in the quarterfinals, setting the stage for an exciting match between the two familiar opponents.
The tournament witnessed several young talents making their mark, with Learner Tien and others advancing to the quarterfinals. Despite notable withdrawals and early exits by some top seeds, the competition remains intense, fueled by emerging stars like Shelton and the promising young players pushing through the late rounds.
The National Bank Open continues to deliver thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes, highlighting the depth of talent and fierce competition in the world of tennis.
