Canadian tennis hopes were crushed on Sunday at the National Bank Open. The excitement surrounding Eala-Mania faded as Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Quebec, suffered a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Japan’s Naomi Osaka in the fourth-round match at Sobeys Stadium. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic dominated Alexandra Eala with a 6-4, 6-0 victory, ending the impressive run of the rising star from the Philippines.
Despite being the 30th seed, Fernandez faced critical breaks at 3-3 in both sets, allowing Osaka, the 11th seed, to secure the win in one hour and 22 minutes with her sixth ace. Fernandez acknowledged that minor decisions accumulated throughout the match, impacting the final outcome.
Fernandez’s journey included an upset victory over the fifth-seeded Mirra Andreeva to advance to the Round of 16. However, the other Canadian contenders, including former champion Bianca Andreescu, exited early in the tournament.
In doubles, all five Canadian pairings were defeated in their opening matches. Notably, Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski partnered with a substitute player due to her regular partner’s injury.
Despite the support from the near-capacity crowd chanting “Let’s Go, Leylah!” during breaks, Fernandez struggled against Osaka’s strong serves and consistent play. Fernandez admitted to missed opportunities and errors, allowing Osaka to secure her spot in the WTA 1000 quarterfinals.
In a separate match, Ben Shelton displayed his dominance by defeating Joao Fonseca 6-3, 7-6(3) in the Round of 16. Shelton’s powerful serves and resilience enabled him to secure a spot in the quarterfinals, setting the stage for a potential repeat as the National Bank Open champion.
Shelton’s victory over Fonseca showcased his strong performance under challenging conditions. He will face Jakub Mensik in the quarterfinals, aiming to continue his impressive run in the tournament.
The National Bank Open saw several upsets and standout performances, paving the way for emerging talents like Shelton to shine on the tennis court.