Two Americans, who have been Top 10 in the past, will face other in the first round of Montreal 🔥 Who will win this big match? 🤔 #VenusWilliams #MadisonKeys #Montreal #Tennis
WTA Preview/Schedule Day One 2023 Canadian Open Montreal (National Bank Open) including Venus Williams, Azarenka, Brady-Ostapenko
WTAMonday, 07 August 2023 at 12:30
The WTA schedule has been confirmed ahead of the opening day of action at the Canadian Open in Montreal (also known as Omnium Banque Nationale/National Bank Open) with the ATP side taking place in Toronto.
As ever, TennisUpToDate will preview the action with Victoria Azarenka, Venus Williams, Jennifer Brady and Daria Kasatkina all in action in a superb opening day which begins around 17:00 CET with Karolina Pliskova facing Lin Zhu. Winner takes on Iga Swiatek.
Bencic, Azarenka and Brady-Ostapenko headlines day session
As well as Pliskova which begins on Court Rogers (one of two show courts alongside Court Central), Belinda Bencic is the main highlight of the initial matches slated from 11:00am local time. She will face Lucia Bronzetti. Reaching the Quarter-Finals in Washington last week, it is the most she has played over an extended period with injuries halting a stop start season.
Albeit barring Roland Garros losing to Elina Avanesyan who has since reached the Quarter-Finals in all tournaments entered barring losing in Wimbledon Qualifying, it has been a good summer results wise. Two titles earlier this year and also returning to the top 10.
Victoria Azarenka snapped a streak herself of poor form reaching the latter stages of Wimbledon before the incredible but infamous Elina Svitolina clash which was then repeated with the same result in Washington last week. She faces Magda Linette to open up.
That pairs in tandem in the later time slot with Jennifer Brady's first WTA 1000 tournament back since injury. Losing in the Last 16 to Madison Keys in Washington, she faces Jelena Ostapenko who has not played since losing to Sorana Cirstea at Wimbledon.
Sloane Stephens and Anhelina Kalinina is the other match which takes place in the later 4:30pm start time on Court Rogers.
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Venus Williams in action during Evening Session
In the evening session, a few players in particular will take Centre Stage with Venus Williams set to face Madison Keys in the main clash to open proceedings up around 7:00pm local time.
At 43-years-old, Williams still has the fight and desire and is still a draw on the show courts. But realistically given Keys recent form, it should be a foregone conclusion.
Keys has reached the Quarter-Finals at both Washington and Wimbledon and before sealed the title in Eastbourne so comes into Montreal likely full of confidence and will back herself as one of the main seeds to triumph.
The same can be said for Daria Kasatkina. The 10th seed faces Elise Mertens with Alycia Parks v Lauren Davis ending Court Rogers proceedings.
After Venus Williams, the first Canadian of the week plays in Rebecca Marino. Bianca Andreescu will take Centre Stage on Tuesday alongside Caroline Wozniacki so it will be Marino's turn to shine on Monday.
She faces Katie Boulter who prevailed through qualifying this past weekend.
Canadian Open Montreal - Day One Schedule
Starts at 11:00am local time
Court Rogers - Lin Zhu (CHN) v Karolina Pliskova (CZE)
Court 9 - Varvara Gracheva (FRA) v Sorana Cirstea (ROU)
Court 9 - Jasmine Paolini (ITA) v Donna Vekic (CRO)
Court 5 - Kayla Day (USA) v Marie Bouzkova (CZE)
Court Rogers - Lucia Bronzetti (ITA) v Belinda Bencic (SWI)
Starts at 12:30pm (local time)
Court Central - Victoria Azarenka [16] v Magda Linette (POL)
Court Central - Jennifer Brady (USA) v Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)
Starts at 4:30pm (local time)
Court Rogers - Sloane Stephens (USA) v Anhelina Kalinina (UKR)
Starts at 7:00pm (local time)
Court Central - Venus Williams (USA) v Madison Keys [13] (USA)
Court Central - Katie Boulter (GBR) v Rebecca Marino (CAN)
Court Rogers - Elise Mertens (BEL) v Daria Kasatkina [10]
Court Rogers - Alycia Parks (USA) v Lauren Davis (USA)
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