Jean-Guy Fugère
And then there were eight. The National Bank Open presented by Rogers is unfolding at breakneck speed and will crown a new champion in less than three days.
In the meantime, the 2021 titleholder will have to win three more matches to add the Canadian WTA 1000 to her record.
The warfare starts up again today at noon on Centre Court.
First, tribute must be paid to the no.1 seed—the formidable Aryna Sabalenka. In the first match of the day, she will be up against her fellow Belarusian and three-time semifinalist in Canada Victoria Azarenka (8). To topple the top contender, Vika will have to fight tooth and nail.
Next up is Karolina Pliskova (4) of Czechia, who will clash with surprise quarterfinalist Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain.
Tonight, two aces who have impressed the crowds all week will come to blows in a highly anticipated confrontation. The absolutely marvellous Coco Gauff, who should be very well rested after her two previous opponents were forced to withdraw, collides with the remarkable Camila Giorgi, who has had a fantastic run at IGA Stadium this week.
In the day’s last match, crowd favourite Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, who ousted Bianca Andreescu on Thursday night, and Jessica Pegula, who stopped Danielle Collins’ winning streak in its tracks, will compete for a place in the semis.
There is one Canadian still standing: Gabriela Dabrowski. She and her partner Luisa Stefani of Brazil will go head-to-head against first seeds Elise Mertens of Belgium and Aryna Sabalenka.
