Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova, both early bloomers in the tennis world, are poised to meet again with renewed form in the 2025 Montreal tournament. Raducanu, 22, shot to prominence by winning the 2021 US Open at 18, while Anisimova, 23, made her mark with a semifinal appearance at the 2019 Roland Garros at just 17.

Both players faced setbacks following their initial breakthroughs, dealing with injuries, coaching changes, and confidence struggles that impacted their rankings and performances. Yet 2025 marks a turning point for these athletes. Raducanu has climbed 28 spots in the rankings to 33rd and recently reached the semifinals in Washington, D.C. Anisimova’s rise has been even more pronounced—advancing to a career-high ranking of No. 7 after reaching the Wimbledon final this year.

Their head-to-head meetings happened twice in 2025 on hard courts at the Australian Open and Miami. Surprisingly, Raducanu claimed straight-set victories in both encounters. Despite Anisimova’s recognized baseline power, Raducanu’s proactive play style, aggressive return on second serves, and quick counterpunching have proven effective.

This intriguing matchup blends the vigor and tactical growth of two players once thought to be stalled. Fans tuning into the Montreal event can expect a competitive contest as both seek to affirm their places among the sport’s elite.

Naomi Osaka and Jelena Ostapenko, both former Grand Slam champions, will meet in Montreal on August 1 for their second encounter in under a year. Ostapenko, who claimed her sole major at the 2017 French Open on her 20th birthday, currently holds the 26th spot in the rankings with a 17-14 match record in 2025. Osaka, meanwhile, boasts four Grand Slam titles from 2018 to 2021 but has struggled to advance beyond the third round in majors since then. She is ranked 49th but tops Ostapenko this season with a 23-11 record.

The head-to-head history favors Osaka, winning both prior meetings, including a decisive 6-3, 6-2 victory at the US Open last year. Despite a lower ranking and ongoing challenges, Osaka enters as the favorite given Ostapenko’s inconsistent form.

Osaka’s recent confidence boost came from a tough three-set win over Liudmila Samsonova, where she saved match points. This victory could mark a turning point, potentially revitalizing her season.

Fans can watch the match live starting at 12:30 p.m. ET on TennisChannel.com, with full coverage of the Montreal bracket available online.

Top-seeded Coco Gauff showcased resilience and fighting spirit at the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montréal, overcoming Veronika Kudermetova in a dramatic three-set match lasting two hours and 32 minutes. Gauff, who faced adversity after losing the first set 4-6 and trailing 1-3 in the second, managed a determined turnaround to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Since her second Grand Slam triumph at Roland Garros last month, Gauff has encountered challenges with consistency. However, her competitive edge emerged when it mattered most on Centre Court. Ranked No. 2 in the WTA standings, Gauff had demonstrated strong form earlier in the season, including a notable victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on clay. Yet, she struggled on grass, exiting Wimbledon early, and nearly faced defeat at the US Open start, only to prevail against Danielle Collins in a third-set tiebreak.

Despite being favored, given her head-to-head advantage over Kudermetova, who has dropped to No. 40 from a career-high No. 9, Gauff was challenged early. Kudermetova quickly gained a lead, taking the opening set and initiating a break advantage in the second. Gauff’s refusal to falter was clear as she saved critical break points and shifted momentum with a notable forehand return to equalize in the second set.

The defining moments came during the ninth game of the second set, where Gauff withstood two break points to move closer to a decider. She then pressured Kudermetova, who faltered at set point. Riding this wave, Gauff dominated early in the third set, gaining a 3-0 lead, before finishing the match with authority to secure her place in the next round at the National Bank Open.