TORONTO — Canada’s own Leylah Fernandez is gearing up for a formidable challenge at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.
Seeded No. 30 and hailing from Laval, Quebec, Fernandez has received an opening-round bye. She will encounter either Mexico’s Renata Zarazua or Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch in her initial match following Friday’s women’s bracket draw.
Should she advance, she might face a daunting round of 32 clash against the No. 5 seed, Mirra Andreeva from Russia.
Leading the draw is world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, followed closely by second seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, two-time NBO champion Jessica Pegula, talented Coco Gauff from the U.S., and Poland’s favorite Iga Swiatek.
2019 NBO champion Bianca Andreescu from Mississauga, Ontario, will kick off her campaign against Czechia’s Nikola Bartunkova, while wild-card entry Venus Williams from the U.S. is set to take on Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova. The 46-year-old tennis icon boasts seven Grand Slam singles titles but has yet to clinch the Canadian crown.
Canadian participation is further bolstered by Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino, London’s Kayla Cross, Toronto’s Cadence Brace, and Richmond Hill, Ontario’s own Ariana Arseneault and Carol Zhao.
Qualifying action begins on Saturday, with main-draw matches slated to commence on Sunday. Unfortunately, defending champion Victoria Mboko will not compete due to a knee injury.
