Canada’s top female tennis players have shown impressive performances at the Italian Open, advancing to the third round of the prestigious tournament. Bianca Andreescu, who stunned No. 20 seed Donna Vekic from Croatia, secured her victory with a score of 6-1, 3-6, 6-2. This victory is particularly notable as Andreescu previously faced Vekic at the Paris Olympics, where she lost in straight sets, with Vekic going on to earn a silver medal.
Andreescu, hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, is set to compete against No. 11 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the next round. Meanwhile, No. 25 seed Leylah Fernandez from Laval, Quebec, achieved an impressive win over Croatian qualifier Antonia Ružić, with a score of 6-4, 6-0, after receiving a bye in the first round. Fernandez, who has a record of 2-2 on clay this season, will face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk next.
On the men’s side, Denis Shapovalov from Richmond Hill, Ontario, faced an early exit, losing 6-3, 6-4 to Lithuania’s Vilius Gaubas in the second round. Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, at just 18 years old, also saw her tournament end in the second round after battling against No. 4 seed Coco Gauff, losing 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. Despite her loss, Mboko has had a remarkable season with a 33-4 record and five titles on the ITF circuit, showcasing her potential for future success.
The performances of Andreescu and Fernandez highlight the growing strength of Canadian women’s tennis on the international stage, offering a hopeful outlook as they continue to make strides in their careers.