Top Seeds Dominate Second Round of National Bank Open
In an action-packed second round at the National Bank Open in Toronto, top-seeded Coco Gauff and second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka showcased their dominance on the tennis court. Gauff, the reigning Australian Open champion, cruised to victory against Yafan Wang with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-2. The match served as a crucial stepping stone for Gauff as she prepares to defend her US Open title, marking her first hard-court appearance since the Miami Open in April.
Reflecting on her performance, Gauff acknowledged the challenges of transitioning between different surfaces in a short timeframe. Despite coming off a recent third-round loss on clay at the Paris Olympics, the 20-year-old American expressed gratitude for the opportunity to push through and compete at a high level.
Sabalenka Maintains Composure in Night Session
In the night session, second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka continued her winning streak by defeating Yue Yuan 6-2, 6-2. The Australian Open winner admitted that she did not play her best tennis but emphasized her satisfaction in maintaining focus throughout the match. Sabalenka’s resilience on the court solidified her position as a formidable force in women’s tennis.
Elise Mertens delivered a standout performance by defeating former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka in a late match, signaling Osaka’s return to form following maternity leave. The fourth-seeded Jelena Ostapenko also showcased her grit by outlasting Paula Badosa in a hard-fought battle that ended with a score of 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2.
Notable Advancements and Retirements
Several other top seeds advanced to the next round, including Daria Kasatkina, Liudmila Samsonova, Emma Navarro, and Anna Kalinskaya. However, No. 7 Madison Keys retired from her match against Peyton Stearns due to a thigh injury, relinquishing a 3-0 lead in the third set. The Canadian hopeful Leylah Fernandez, seeded 15th, faced a disappointing exit after a 6-4, 6-2 loss to qualifier Ashlyn Krueger.
Additionally, 19-year-old wild card Marina Stakusic from Mississauga suffered a decisive defeat against Taylor Townsend with a scoreline of 6-0, 6-2. The National Bank Open continues to be a platform for emerging talents and seasoned players to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level of professional tennis.
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