Canadian aspirations were shattered on Sunday at the National Bank Open, bringing an end to the excitement of Eala-Mania. Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., suffered a 6-4, 6-4 defeat against Japan’s Naomi Osaka in the fourth-round match at Sobeys Stadium. Subsequently, Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic triumphed over Alexandra Eala with a 6-4, 6-0 victory, halting the impressive run of the emerging star from the Philippines.
Fernandez, seeded 30th, faced crucial breaks at 3-3 in both sets, ultimately succumbing to Osaka, the 11th seed, who sealed the match with her sixth ace after one hour and 22 minutes of play. Reflecting on the match, Fernandez emphasized the impact of small decisions that accumulated throughout the game.
Having previously upset the fifth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia, Fernandez’s journey to the Round of 16 was noteworthy. Despite several Canadian players being granted wild-card entries, including former champion Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., they were all eliminated in the early rounds. Additionally, the five Canadian pairs in the doubles draw faced defeats, with Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski partnering with a substitute due to her regular partner’s injury.
The enthusiastic crowd at the center court rallied behind Fernandez, chanting “Let’s Go, Leylah!” intermittently during breaks on a pleasant evening at the York University venue. Both players engaged in a strategic battle, relying heavily on ground strokes, with Osaka’s strong serve and consistent performance proving challenging for Fernandez to overcome.
Fernandez admitted to making mistakes and missing opportunities to capitalize on crucial moments, allowing Osaka to secure her 25th win of the season. Osaka’s victory marked her return to the WTA 1000 quarterfinals, a significant milestone following her runner-up finish at the NBO last year. Meanwhile, Eala, fresh off her WTA title win in Washington, saw her seven-match winning streak halted at the tournament.
In the men’s singles draw, Ben Shelton displayed dominance against the rising star Joao Fonseca, securing a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory in the Round of 16 at IGA Stadium. Shelton’s resilience, particularly in overcoming early setbacks, propelled him to the quarterfinals, where he aims to defend his National Bank Open title.
Shelton’s powerful serves, reaching speeds of nearly 230 kilometers per hour, and strategic gameplay allowed him to outplay Fonseca, who acknowledged his shortcomings in serving effectiveness. With his sights set on another Masters 1000 title, Shelton faces a challenging match against Jakub Mensik in the quarterfinals.
The National Bank Open witnessed a shift in dynamics with several top seeds exiting the tournament early due to injuries and defeats. Despite the setbacks, Shelton remains optimistic about the competition, highlighting the abundance of talent and the emergence of young players like Mensik, Jodar, and Tien, shaping the future landscape of professional tennis.