Canadian Open 2026 Canadian Players Report – How Did Every Canadian Perform?
The 2026 Canadian Open was a tournament of highs and lows for Canadian tennis across both IGA Stadium in Montreal and Sobeys Stadium in Toronto. Historic firsts, heartbreaking exits, emotional farewells, and an injury crisis that stripped the Montreal draw of its biggest Canadian story before a single ball was struck.
This Canadian Open 2026 Canadian players report grades every Canadian who competed across singles and doubles at the National Bank Open, from the players who delivered unforgettable moments to those who left the tournament with unfinished business.
Quick Facts:
| Detail | Info |
| Total Canadians in singles | 11 players across both draws |
| Best Canadian result | Leylah Fernandez, WTA Round of 16 |
| Biggest positive story | Kayla Cross, first career WTA Tour win |
| Biggest disappointment | FAA withdrawal before playing a single point |
| Last Canadian standing | Leylah Fernandez, WTA Toronto |
| Doubles highlight | Chan and Galarneau, men’s doubles quarterfinal |
How We Graded the Canadian Players
This Canadian Open 2026 Canadian players report uses a simple A through F grading system based on three factors: result achieved, performance level relative to expectations, and the significance of the contribution to Canadian tennis at this tournament.
Grading system:
| Grade | Meaning |
| A | Exceeded expectations, delivered a memorable moment |
| B | Solid performance, met or slightly exceeded expectations |
| C | Acceptable but underwhelming, room for more |
| D | Below expectations, early exit with little to show |
| F | Failed to compete or significant underperformance |
Special note on Gael Monfils:
Monfils is French, not Canadian, but his farewell at IGA Stadium in Montreal was so significant for Canadian tennis fans and the Montreal crowd that he earns a special mention in this report. His emotional farewell is covered separately but referenced here for completeness.
Women’s Singles – WTA Toronto
Canadian women delivered the most compelling stories of the entire 2026 National Bank Open, from historic first wins to heartbreaking collapses and emotional farewells.
Leylah Fernandez – Grade: A
Leylah Fernandez was the undisputed standout Canadian performer of the entire 2026 Canadian Open across both cities.
Results:
- Round of 32: def. Renata Zarazua 6-2, 6-2
- Round of 16: def. Mirra Andreeva (5) 6-1, 6-4
- Round of 16: lost to Naomi Osaka (11) 4-6, 4-6
Why she earns an A:
- Defeated fifth seed and French Open champion Mirra Andreeva 6-1, 6-4
- First top-10 victory in over a year
- Last Canadian standing in either singles draw
- Carried full weight of Canadian tennis expectation with composure and pride
- Best result of her 2026 season at her home tournament
Kayla Cross – Grade: A
Kayla Cross arrived as a wildcard for only her third professional tour match and left having made Canadian tennis history.
Results:
- Round of 32: def. Katie Boulter (GBR, No. 69) 7-6(3), 7-5
- Round of 16: lost to Ann Li (28) 6-7(2), 3-6
Why she earns an A:
- First career WTA Tour victory in only her third professional match
- First Canadian to win a WTA match in Toronto at the 2026 National Bank Open
- Saved four set points in the first set against a top-70 ranked opponent
- 21 years old from London Ontario, the future of Canadian women’s tennis
Katherine Sebov – Grade: B
Katherine Sebov delivered a solid performance at her home tournament, reaching the second round before meeting a step up in class she could not quite handle.
Results:
- Round of 32: def. Aoi Ito (Q) 6-3, 6-4
- Round of 16: lost to Marta Kostyuk (10) 6-7(4), 0-6
Why she earns a B:
- First Canadian to win a match in Toronto at the 2026 National Bank Open before Cross followed
- Competitive in the first set against the 10th seed before the level gap showed in the second
- Consistent baseline performance reflected her improving WTA Tour level
Bianca Andreescu – Grade: D
Bianca Andreescu arrived at her home tournament as a wildcard with the support of the entire Toronto crowd and left having wasted four set points from 5-2 up in the first set in one of the most painful exits of the tournament.
Results:
- Round of 32: lost to Nikola Bartunkova 5-7, 4-6
Why she earns a D:
- Led 5-2 in the first set with four set points and converted none
- Ranked world No. 174, wildcard entry reflects ongoing ranking struggles
- Third consecutive early exit at her home tournament
- Opportunity wasted from a position of genuine strength in the opening set
The bigger picture:
The talent is still there. The 2019 version of Andreescu who won this title and then the US Open remains the benchmark. But 2026 in Toronto added another difficult data point to her ongoing comeback story.
Carol Zhao – Grade: C
Carol Zhao’s Canadian Open 2026 appearance was always going to be bittersweet after she announced the 2026 season would be her final year on the professional tour on the same day as her first-round match.
Results:
- Round of 32: lost to Magda Linette 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
Why she earns a C:
- Lost in straight sets but competed across three sets against an experienced opponent
- The retirement announcement overshadowed the result and gave her moment appropriate recognition
- A career representing Canada at the highest level of women’s tennis deserves acknowledgement beyond one result
Cadence Brace – Grade: D
Cadence Brace received a wildcard for the 2026 Canadian Open and could not make it count against an experienced American opponent.
Results:
- Round of 32: lost to McCartney Kessler 3-6, 3-6
Why she earns a D:
- Straightforward defeat without making significant competitive impact
- Wildcard opportunity not converted into a result that builds ranking momentum
- Room for significant improvement at this level heading into the remainder of 2026
Men’s Singles – ATP Montreal
The Canadian men’s story at the 2026 National Bank Open was defined almost entirely by injury and withdrawal, stripping the Montreal draw of its biggest Canadian storylines before the tournament reached its most compelling stages.
Gabriel Diallo – Grade: B
Gabriel Diallo delivered the most emotionally significant Canadian men’s moment of the entire tournament, winning his first ever main draw match in his hometown of Montreal before falling to a seeded opponent in the second round.
Results:
- Round of 32: def. Kyrian Jacquet 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2
- Round of 16: lost to Luciano Darderi (19) 4-6, 2-6
Why he earns a B:
- First ever main draw victory in his hometown Montreal, 50th career tour win
- Came back from a set down against Jacquet to win convincingly
- Crowd connection was electric, grew up minutes from IGA Stadium in Villeray
- Lost to a seeded opponent in the second round but showed genuine quality
For the complete story read our Gabriel Diallo wins first match in Montreal article.
Felix Auger-Aliassime – Grade: F
The most painful Canadian story of the entire 2026 Canadian Open. Felix Auger-Aliassime withdrew with a back injury two hours before his opening match against qualifier Titouan Droguet, denying a sold-out session the home hero they had come to watch.
Results:
- Round of 32: withdrew before playing, back injury
Why he earns an F:
- Did not play a single competitive point at his home tournament
- Arrived as the second seed, highest-seeded Canadian in tournament history
- Session sold out specifically to watch him compete
- Back injury sustained in training Monday before Wednesday match
The context:
This is not a reflection of his quality as a player. It is a reflection of the cruel timing of a back injury that robbed Montreal of its biggest Canadian storyline. The F reflects the result, not the player.
Denis Shapovalov – Grade: F
Denis Shapovalov retired through injury during his opening match against Zachary Svajda, another painful addition to what became a comprehensive Canadian men’s injury crisis.
Results:
- Round of 32: retired during match vs Zachary Svajda
Why he earns an F:
- Did not complete his opening match
- Injury retirement added to the growing list of Canadian men unable to compete
- No competitive contribution to the 2026 Montreal draw
Alexis Galarneau – Grade: D
Alexis Galarneau received a wildcard for the 2026 Canadian Open singles draw and could not convert the opportunity into a meaningful result against his first-round opponent.
Results:
- Round of 32: lost to Vit Kopriva 4-6, 4-6
Why he earns a D:
- Straightforward first-round defeat without making competitive impact in singles
- Wildcard opportunity not converted into a ranking-building result
- The singles exit was softened by his doubles run alongside Duncan Chan
The silver lining:
Galarneau’s doubles partnership with Chan was the highlight of his tournament week and the most positive Canadian men’s story from Montreal after FAA’s withdrawal and Shapovalov’s retirement.
Liam Draxl – Grade: D
Liam Draxl received a wildcard for the Montreal draw and fell to Daniel Merida in the first round, the same Merida who would go on to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Results:
- Round of 32: lost to Daniel Merida 1-6, 1-6
Why he earns a D:
- Heavy straight-sets defeat to a player who proved his quality throughout the week
- The scoreline was more comfortable for Merida than Draxl would have hoped
- Limited competitive impact in what was a difficult first-round draw
Duncan Chan – Grade: B
Duncan Chan’s singles contribution was brief but his doubles partnership with Alexis Galarneau became one of the most celebrated Canadian stories of the entire Montreal draw.
Singles results:
- Round of 32: lost in singles first round
Doubles results with Galarneau:
- Round of 32: def. Zverev / Melo
- Round of 16: def. Herbert / Krawietz (8)
- Quarterfinal: lost to Cerundolo / Etcheverry
Why he earns a B:
- Doubles run compensates significantly for singles exit
- Beating two seeded pairs including eighth seeds Herbert and Krawietz was a genuine achievement
- Provided one of the most feel-good Canadian moments of the tournament alongside Galarneau
Doubles
Canadian doubles players delivered some of the most memorable moments of the entire 2026 Canadian Open, providing genuine cause for celebration at both venues when the singles draws had delivered disappointment.
Duncan Chan and Alexis Galarneau – Grade: B
The all-Canadian doubles partnership was the last Canadian presence at the 2026 National Bank Open and delivered more than anyone expected from two players whose singles campaigns had ended in the first round.
Results:
- Round of 32: def. Zverev / Melo
- Round of 16: def. Herbert / Krawietz (8) — eighth seeds eliminated
- Quarterfinal: lost to Cerundolo / Etcheverry
Why they earn a B:
- Beat the former top seed Zverev in the first round
- Eliminated eighth seeds Herbert and Krawietz in the second round
- Reached the quarterfinals as the last Canadians competing at the tournament
- Provided genuine pride for Montreal fans during a difficult week for Canadian men’s tennis
Gabriela Dabrowski – Grade: C
Canada’s top doubles player delivered a competitive performance alongside partner Ekaterina Alexandrova before a heartbreaking match tiebreak exit against Coco Gauff and Caty McNally.
Results with Alexandrova:
- Round of 16: def. opponents
- Quarterfinal: lost to Gauff / McNally 6-3, 3-6, 9-11 in match tiebreak
Why she earns a C:
- Competitive performance reaching the quarterfinals
- Held a match ball in the tiebreak before Gauff and McNally saved it and closed out
- The match ball moment was heartbreaking but reflected a genuine quality performance
- Expected to go deeper given her world-class doubles ranking and experience
Bianca Andreescu and Kayla Cross – Grade: C
The wildcard doubles partnership between Andreescu and Cross was a feel-good pairing that reflected Tennis Canada’s support for both players but could not extend beyond the opening round.
Results:
- Round of 32: lost to Gleason / Eikeri 4-6, 6-7(3)
Why they earn a C:
- Lost in the first round against an experienced pairing
- The partnership itself was a positive story reflecting Canadian tennis solidarity
- Both players were managing the physical and emotional demands of their singles campaigns simultaneously
- A competitive two-set match that went to a tiebreak before the exit reflected genuine effort
Overall Canadian Verdict
The Canadian Open 2026 Canadian players report delivers a mixed but ultimately encouraging picture of where Canadian tennis stands heading into the remainder of the 2026 season.
Overall Canadian performance summary:
| Player | Event | Grade | Best Moment |
| Leylah Fernandez | WTA Singles | A | def. Andreeva (5) 6-1, 6-4 |
| Kayla Cross | WTA Singles | A | First career WTA win vs Boulter |
| Katherine Sebov | WTA Singles | B | Second round appearance |
| Duncan Chan | ATP Doubles | B | QF run with Galarneau |
| Carol Zhao | WTA Singles | C | Emotional retirement announcement |
| Gabriela Dabrowski | WTA Doubles | C | QF exit, held match ball |
| Andreescu/Cross | WTA Doubles | C | First round doubles partnership |
| Bianca Andreescu | WTA Singles | D | Lost from 5-2 up first set |
| Cadence Brace | WTA Singles | D | First round exit |
| Alexis Galarneau | ATP Singles | D | First round exit |
| Liam Draxl | ATP Singles | D | First round exit |
| Felix Auger-Aliassime | ATP Singles | F | Withdrew before playing |
| Denis Shapovalov | ATP Singles | F | Retired through injury |
The three key takeaways:
- Canadian women delivered: Fernandez and Cross both earned A grades and gave Canadian tennis fans genuine moments of celebration at Sobeys Stadium across the tournament week
- Canadian men were devastated by injury: FAA, Shapovalov, and Diallo all failed to complete their tournaments due to physical problems, creating a comprehensive men’s injury crisis that Tennis Canada’s VP addressed publicly
- The future is bright: Cross at 21, Diallo at 24, and a healthy FAA returning for Cincinnati represent a Canadian tennis pipeline that remains genuinely deep despite the 2026 Montreal disappointments
What to expect at the 2027 Canadian Open:
The tournament returns to Toronto for the women and Montreal for the men in alternating fashion. A healthy FAA competing as a seeded player, Fernandez building on her Andreeva win, Cross with a full year of WTA Tour experience, and Diallo targeting a deeper run in Montreal all give Canadian tennis fans genuine reason for optimism heading into 2027.
FAQs
Conclusion
The Canadian Open 2026 Canadian players report tells two very different stories depending on which city you were watching from.
In Toronto, Canadian women delivered some of the most celebrated moments of the entire National Bank Open. Fernandez defeating a top-5 seed at her home tournament. Cross recording her first career WTA win in only her third professional match. Sebov reaching the second round. These were genuine, meaningful results that reflect the depth and quality of Canadian women’s tennis in 2026.
In Montreal, injury struck before the tournament could deliver its biggest Canadian stories. FAA never played. Shapovalov never finished. Diallo won one beautiful hometown match before falling to a seeded opponent. The Canadian men’s injury crisis was real, acknowledged publicly by Tennis Canada, and will need to be resolved before the 2027 National Bank Open gives Montreal another chance to celebrate its home players.
The pipeline is strong. The future is bright. And the 2027 Canadian Open will give every player on this list another opportunity to write a better chapter. Follow all our coverage from the 2026 National Bank Open on our Canadian Open results page.
