TORONTO — A thrilling homecoming quickly turned sour for Canada’s Bianca Andreescu, who faced an unexpected first-round defeat against world No. 42 Nikola Bartunkova from Czechia at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers on Monday.
Andreescu, currently ranked No. 179, surged to an early 5-2, 40-love lead in the first set at Sobeys Stadium. However, she couldn’t maintain her momentum, ultimately falling in straight sets 7-5, 6-4.
“It’s disappointing not to figure it out today, especially with the goal of winning at home,” expressed the Mississauga native, who celebrated a victory at this tournament back in 2019.
Fast forward seven years, and the 2019 U.S. Open champion, once the fourth-highest-ranked player in the world, continues to grapple with injuries and setbacks. After her match, Andreescu graciously acknowledged the supportive Canadian crowd and reflected on her challenges.
“I wish I had the answers. I tried to analyze my performance post-match,” she shared. “She began to find her rhythm, putting more balls in play. Even with a 40-Love point in the first set, I had my chances. That was the match’s theme—I built up the points well but didn’t capitalize.”
Self-identifying as an “over-thinker,” Andreescu has focused on strengthening her mental fortitude. She explained, “Sometimes, those nagging doubts just creep in, and today, they got to me.”
“I felt calm throughout, but there were subconscious thoughts that may have affected my play,” she added. “It’s important to recognize these feelings and let them go.”
It was a bustling day for Canadian women on the tennis court. Beyond Andreescu’s matinee, which was postponed from Sunday due to rain, fellow wild cards Cadence Brace, Kayla Cross, Carol Zhao, and Rebecca Marino all competed under the bright blue sky in front of enthusiastic home crowds.
Among the wild cards in action, only Cross emerged victorious—and what a remarkable triumph it was!
With a stunning win, Cross showcases her potential
Earlier, Cross electrified the Toronto audience with a daring victory over world No. 69 Katie Boulter from Britain at Centre Court. Entering the tournament ranked No. 172 on the WTA circuit, Cross clinched the match in straight sets 7-6 (3), 7-5, but it was anything but straightforward. Facing her home crowd, the 21-year-old wild card felt the pressure yet rose to the occasion, holding her nerve during crucial moments, including match point.
After missing her first opportunity to seal the match, Cross regained her composure and delivered a powerful serve. Boulter’s return sailed long, securing the victory for Cross.
In disbelief, Cross raised her arms in triumph, then placed her hands over her mouth, taking in the significance of the moment—her first victory at the WTA 1000 level and her first win in a WTA main draw match.
Reflecting on her match, Cross candidly admitted she was “definitely in shock.”
“I think I muttered ‘Oh, my gosh’ several times while heading to the net. It still feels surreal … just trying to enjoy every moment,” she said.
Cross served up an impressive 11 aces, demonstrating her dominance over Boulter (who had only two), while capitalizing on her opponent’s service woes, which included 12 double faults.
As she took her seat at the podium, the reality of her victory seemed to wash over her.
When asked about the significance of this win for her future, Cross spoke about newfound self-belief and the confidence this triumph instilled.
“This win really boosts my confidence, showing me I can compete at this level,” she said.
The local crowd amplified that sentiment.
“Having such a strong crowd was extraordinary,” Cross shared. “Their chants and cheers filled me with confidence. Regardless of the score, they supported me wholeheartedly, even when I faced challenges.”
Seeing fellow Canadians, including Andreescu—Cross’s doubles partner at the tournament—watching her match also contributed to her calmness.
Looking ahead, she’s eager to carry this newfound confidence into her next match against 28-seed Ann Li from the U.S. on Wednesday.
Cross expressed her excitement: “I’m really looking forward to my next match.”
And it’s clear the home crowd shares her enthusiasm.
