Naomi Osaka staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Liudmila Samsonova in three sets, 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3, advancing to the third round of the National Bank Open in Montréal. The match, played over two hours and 37 minutes on Center Court, showcased Osaka’s resilience as she saved two match points to clinch the win.

Heading into the match, the players were tied 2-2 in their head-to-head record, with Samsonova having won their latest encounter at the Berlin Tennis Open on grass. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, reversed that outcome after a challenging start against Samsonova, who broke early and maintained pressure throughout the first set.

“She definitely came out really hard and for me, I was definitely overwhelmed and I didn’t know if I should also be hitting winners. But after a while, I just tried to keep the ball in the court,” Osaka remarked after the match.

This tournament marked Osaka’s first since parting ways with coach Patrick Mouratoglou. She is currently trialing with Tomasz Wiktorowski, formerly associated with Iga Swiatek. Osaka had a strong beginning in Montréal with a straight-sets win over Canadian qualifier Ariana Arseneault.

Samsonova came into the match fresh from significant successes, including her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Wimbledon and her fifth career title on grass in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. She started strong against Osaka, breaking serve immediately and taking the first set. In a tightly contested second set, Osaka saved two match points, turning the tide with a break earned off a double fault from Samsonova.

The second set culminated in a dramatic tiebreaker where Osaka fiercely fought from a 5-2 deficit, eventually winning 8-6 after Samsonova committed an error. Osaka then dominated the third set, breaking early and establishing a lead she maintained to secure the victory.

“I’ve played her so many times since I’ve come back, so I wouldn’t say it’s new. I haven’t played here in a long time, so it was nice to get a three-set win here in Montréal,” Osaka said.

Andrey Rublev commenced his 2025 Toronto Masters 1000 campaign with a solid victory against Hugo Gaston, prevailing 6-2, 6-3 in straight sets. This win marks the 250th hard-court triumph of Rublev’s professional career, an impressive feat that places him among a select group of players born in 1990 or later. Specifically, Rublev is only the second man born in 1997 or after to attain this milestone, following Alexander Zverev.

Rublev currently holds a career record of 250 wins to 143 losses on hard courts, translating to a winning percentage of 63.6%. Despite a challenging stretch from February to May 2025, during which he managed only two wins in seven tournaments and saw his ranking fall from No. 9 to No. 17, the Russian player has since regained form. Since the week before Roland Garros, Rublev has compiled a 13-6 record in seven events, including a final in Hamburg, back-to-back fourth-round appearances at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and a semifinal showing at Los Cabos.

Following Wimbledon, Rublev briefly re-entered the ATP Top 10 at No. 10 but has since slipped to No. 11 this week after Alex de Minaur’s resurgence, fueled by his recent title in Washington D.C.

Jessica Pegula approaches the 2025 Canadian Open with a chance to cement her place in an exclusive WTA 1000 group. Having secured the title in both 2023 and 2024, the world No. 4 is aiming for a rare ‘threepeat’ at this prestigious event.

Since the inception of the WTA 1000 and Tier 1 format in 1990, only five women have managed to win three or more consecutive titles at the same Premier tournament. Pegula could join this distinguished group if she triumphs again in Canada.

Among the legends is Steffi Graf, who claimed three straight Miami Open titles from 1994 to 1996, defeating Natasha Zvereva, Kimiko Date, and Chanda Rubin along the way. Graf also won four consecutive Berlin titles from 1991 to 1994, besting notable opponents including Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and Gabriela Sabatini.

Serena Williams twice completed Miami Open ‘threepeats’, first from 2002 to 2004 and again from 2013 to 2015, with victories over Jennifer Capriati, Maria Sharapova, and others. Williams also secured back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008.

Monica Seles dominated the Canadian Open with four consecutive wins from 1995 through 1998, including victories over Amanda Coetzer and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. She narrowly missed a fifth straight title in 1999, losing to Martina Hingis.

Conchita Martínez also held a remarkable run at the Italian Open, winning four straight titles between 1993 and 1996. Her streak ended just short of a fifth consecutive crown in 1997.

More recently, WTA world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka secured three consecutive Wuhan Open titles spanning 2018, 2019, and 2024, overcoming competitors like Anett Kontaveit and Zheng Qinwen.

Pegula’s attempt to join this elite echelon underscores her rising stature in women’s tennis and adds an intriguing narrative to this year’s Canadian Open.