It’s nearly time to say goodbye.
Don’t be sad. Be glad it happened!
Our 2022 National Bank Open presented by Rogers wraps with championship Sunday this afternoon from Sobeys Stadium.
Two-time NBO champion Simona Halep can add to her trophy cabinet, Beatriz Haddad Maia eyes history for Brazilian tennis, and Coco Gauff looks to achieve a new milestone in doubles!
Here are three storylines to track on our 407 ETR Sunday commute:
‘Happy’ Simona Halep eyes a 3rd National Bank Open crown
She’s feeling positive, motivated, and right at home in Canada.
The two-time Slam champion Simona Halep punched her ticket to the final of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers for the fourth time in her career with a hard fought 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over American Jessica Pegula.
Chants of ‘SI-MO-NA!’ would rain down on the experienced champion when she’d win a pivotal point or turn towards the crowd with a signature fist pump.
Halep is now into her 18th career WTA 1000 final, and a victory today would give her a ninth 1000 level crown, and 24th career singles title.
The 30-year-old is also set to return to the Top 10 of the rankings on Monday for the first time since August of 2021. A victory over Beatriz Haddad Maia will move her up to world No. 6.
Brazilians love Bia
Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil is the Cinderella story of the tournament in Toronto. The final chapter will be written today.
The 26-year-old continued her quest for a third singles title in 2022, advancing to her first career WTA 1000 final with a decisive 6-4, 7-6 victory over veteran Karolina Pliskova.
Haddad Maia, affectionately referred to as ‘Bia’ by many of her fans, reached a new milestone with the win. She will enter the Top 20 of the rankings for the first time in her career as of Monday.
Haddad Maia and Halep have previously squared off three times, with Simona leading the head-to-head 2-1. The Brazilian did win their most recent encounter though in Birmingham, prevailing 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 back in June.
Bia can also become the first player from Brazil to win the National Bank Open in Canada. Gustavo Kuerten reached the finals in Montreal back in 1997.
It’s a prime afternoon start time for this finals clash. 1:30 PM ET!
Coco and Jessie seek back-to-back doubles trophies
They were both victims of Simona Halep in singles, but the American pairing of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula are proving to be an elite doubles team.
Gauff and Pegula secured a spot in the women’s doubles final in Toronto, defeating Sania Mirza and Madison Keys 7-5, 7-5.
Just one week ago, Gauff and Pegula hoisted the doubles trophy in Washington, winning the Citi Open. They’ve also won a WTA 1000 crown in Qatar and reached the finals of Roland Garros in 2022.
Gauff and Pegula show down with fellow compatriot Nicole Melichar and Australia’s Ellen Perez in the final.
Plenty is at stake for Gauff in particular – a title here at the National Bank Open would move her to world No. 1 in doubles.
The doubles clash will take place on Sobeys stadium after our singles championship match, officially wrapping a thrilling NBO22!
