Road to the NBO – Andreescu reaches first final…

Bibi’s back, Gauff set to begin grass campaign

In just her second tournament of 2024, Canadian Bianca Andreescu delivered a statement week on the grass courts.

The former US Open champion reached the finals of the Libema Open, falling in a tight three-set match to Liudmila Samsonova 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in two hours and 34 minutes.

It was a huge step forward for the Mississauga native, who turned 24 years of age over the weekend. Andreescu also produced a great three-set victory over four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinals, flashing some of her brilliant variety and power game through the week. She’ll now rest up and look to stay healthy and refreshed before Wimbledon.

Read: Monday Digest – Dabrowski, Andreescu successfully return on grass

Meanwhile, another US Open winner is set to begin her grass campaign.

American Coco Gauff is set to compete at the ecotrans Ladies Open as the number-one seed in a deep field in Berlin. The 20-year-old memorably had her first career breakout on the grass courts, becoming the youngest player in Wimbledon history to qualify for the main draw back in 2019. She won plenty of fans then as she reached the fourth round and has since become a world-class player, reaching number two in the world.

Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka is also in the field and seeded second, while 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina is the third seed.

Last year’s champion at the All England Club Marketa Vondrousova is back in contention, along with high-profile players like Qinwen Zheng, Maria Sakkari, Ons Jabeur, and Jessica Pegula.

Raducanu makes run, Leylah competing this week

It was only three years ago that Britain’s Emma Raducanu and Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez contested one of the most unlikely Grand Slam finals in tennis history.

Raducanu, a qualifier at the time who would win the event at the US Open, has since struggled to maintain form, as she’s navigated various injuries and outside pressures from the public. The 23-year-old opted to skip the French Open and made a statement on the grass courts this past week, advancing to the semifinals of the Nottingham Open before losing to eventual champion and fellow countrywoman Katie Boulter. Britain has long been pining for a women’s champion at the All England Club – the last to do so was Virginia Wade in 1977. 

In the meantime, Fernandez is in action this week at the Birmingham Classic where she’s seeded sixth overall. The 21-year-old lacks grass court experience, having competed just twice at Wimbledon.

Her sister Bianca Jolie recently appeared on Match Point Canada, discussing the positive influence she’s had on her life and career.

The left-hander is one of numerous names to keep an eye on this week. 

The WTA’s best return to Toronto this summer for the National Bank Open August 4 to 12 at Sobeys Stadium.  Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!