Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, is set to defend her ranking at the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto, aiming to extend her hard court dominance ahead of the US Open. Sabalenka has enjoyed a stellar year on hard courts, winning 23 of her 24 matches, with her only defeat coming in the Australian Open final against Elena Rybakina. However, her performances on clay and grass have been less impressive, with early exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
If Sabalenka fails to reach the round of 16 in Toronto, Rybakina could overtake her as the world number one by winning the tournament. Sabalenka has never advanced past the semi-finals in Canada, but she feels rested and ready after a brief holiday following her Wimbledon exit.
Sabalenka took time off to recharge on the Greek island of Mykonos, returning feeling rejuvenated and focused on her goals for the upcoming tournaments. She heads the top half of the draw in Toronto, alongside notable players like Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, and Iga Swiatek.
The bottom half of the draw is anchored by Rybakina and includes other top players such as Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, and Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. Notable absentees include Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova, who is recovering from surgery, and reigning champion Victoria Mboko, who is sidelined with a knee injury.
Sabalenka acknowledged the challenging scheduling for players coming off the grass court season, with the Canadian tournaments followed by Cincinnati before the US Open. Despite the demanding schedule, Sabalenka is determined to perform well in Toronto as she prepares for her US Open title defense.
