National Bank Open Round of 32 opens in Toronto and Montreal as upsets and injuries reshape the draws
National Bank Open enters the Round of 32 with the men’s draw unsettled by withdrawals and early losses while Toronto’s women’s field remains largely intact, spotlighting Sabalenka, Jodar and rising stars.
The National Bank Open presented by Rogers moves into the Round of 32 on Thursday with contrasting narratives in Toronto and Montreal. The men’s event in Montreal has been disrupted by injuries and unexpected defeats, leaving the draw thinner at the top. In Toronto the women’s tournament has retained most of its top seeds, setting up a more predictable path toward the later rounds.
Men’s draw shaken by withdrawals and seeded upsets
Montreal’s men’s bracket took a significant hit after home favourite Felix Auger-Aliassime withdrew with a reported injury, compounding earlier losses by top seed Alexander Zverev and No. 4 Daniil Medvedev. Those developments remove several marquee names and increase the opportunity for lower-ranked players to advance deeper than expected. Tournament officials and players have noted that the withdrawals make the draw unusually open for this stage of a Masters-level event.
Several scheduled matchups have been recast by the changing field, and fans who expected the typical progression of top stars will instead see a series of wide-open encounters. Organizers face the prospect of spotlighting emerging talents and unexpected contenders through the remainder of the week.
Rafael Jodar to headline Montreal night session
Nineteen-year-old Rafael Jodar, fresh off a run to the French Open quarterfinals and a final appearance in Washington, will be featured in Montreal’s night session against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti. Jodar, who has climbed into the top 20 this summer, offers a heavy-hitting baseline game and recent form that has drawn comparisons to other Spanish talents. The matchup is a rematch of a Washington quarterfinal that Jodar won in three sets, and it arrives with heightened attention given the openings in the upper portion of the draw.
Musetti’s creative shotmaking presents a stylistic challenge that could reveal whether Jodar is ready to sustain consistent success at the Masters level. Victory for either player would reshape expectations for the remainder of the week and provide a new name to follow as the tournament progresses.
Sabalenka returns to hard courts as top seed in Toronto
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka moved through her Toronto opener in straight sets and will take the court Thursday against Shuai Zhang of China in a marquee night match. Sabalenka has four Grand Slam titles to her name, all on hard courts, and this surface has produced her most consistent results. After a mixed run on grass and clay, she arrives in Toronto with the kind of power and serve that put her among the favorites to win the National Bank Open title.
Sabalenka’s early victory over Moyuka Uchijima was efficient and reaffirmed her status at the top of the rankings, but the tournament’s depth means she cannot afford lapses. Observers will watch how she manages point construction and aggression as the level of opposition increases.
Alexandra Eala teams with Venus Williams for a Centre Court doubles showcase
A rare opening-round doubles match will be played on Centre Court after Alexandra Eala sold out the stadium with a late-night singles victory on Wednesday. The rising Filipino star will pair with Venus Williams for a doubles appearance that blends youthful momentum with veteran prestige. The pairing previously teamed up in Germany and captured attention with a victory there, and the combination offers both promotional appeal and on-court intrigue for spectators.
Eala’s singles breakthrough has energized local crowds, and the decision to place a doubles match on Centre Court underscores the tournament’s flexibility in highlighting compelling storylines. Fans should expect a lively atmosphere for the match and strong media interest in the partnership.
Women’s seeds mostly intact as Toronto field tightens
Toronto’s women’s draw has retained nine of its top 10 seeds through the first round, providing a degree of stability absent from the men’s side in Montreal. Notable scheduled Centre Court matches include Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula and other seeded players who advanced past their openings and are positioned for a conventional seeded progression. That continuity gives organizers and bettors clearer lines for potential quarterfinal and semifinal matchups.
Despite the preserved seeding, individual matches retain the potential for upsets given the depth of the WTA field this year. Players such as Elina Svitolina and Madison Keys remain dangerous opponents who can produce surprise results on any given day.
Television and match timing for Thursday action
Broadcasters and tournament schedules list multiple sessions across courts in Toronto and Montreal, with televised windows spanning afternoon and night in Eastern Time. In Toronto, network coverage includes midday and evening slots that will carry the highest-profile women’s matches and Sabalenka’s night appearance. Montreal’s schedule similarly balances daytime play with a featured night session, which will showcase Jodar versus Musetti on Centre Court.
Fans should consult local listings and the tournament’s official channel options for the most current start times and viewing platforms, as match order is subject to change due to court conditions and match length. Ticket holders are advised to monitor onsite announcements for any adjustments to session start times.
The National Bank Open’s Round of 32 promises an eventful day that mixes established stars, rising talents and unpredictable outcomes as the two-city tournament progresses toward the business end of the week.
