The 2026 Canadian Open got underway on Sunday with first-round action in Toronto (WTA) and Montreal (ATP Masters 1000). Katherine Sebov became the first Canadian to win a main draw match this year, while rain disrupted the Montreal schedule without preventing a few notable results.
Sebov makes history in Toronto
Toronto native Katherine Sebov gave the home crowd exactly what it wanted. Facing Japan's Aoi Ito, the Canadian never wavered, winning 6-3, 6-4 in just over an hour of play. First match, first Canadian victory in the 2026 National Bank Open main draw: Sebov savoured the moment in front of an appreciative home crowd.
The other standout result in Toronto saw Uzbekistan's Kamila Rakhimova dispatch Venus Williams 6-4, 6-1. The 46-year-old American continues a winless 2026 season on the main tour. Czech Sara Bejlek also progressed after a three-set battle against Xiyu Wang, prevailing 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.
The Toronto main draw promises a compelling week ahead. World number 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina who could overtake her in the rankings, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Linda Noskova will all enter the fray in the coming days. The Czech, the reigning Wimbledon champion, is playing her first event since lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish in London. She admitted upon arrival that the weeks following her Wimbledon triumph had been "nothing more but crazy and chaos," between a reception with Czech president Petr Pavel and a holiday in Italy, before refocusing on the transition to hard courts.
Shang and Munar advance in Montreal
At the Masters 1000, weather significantly curtailed Sunday's programme. Only two matches were completed. China's Shang Juncheng, who had not won since the Australian Open in January, produced a convincing 6-3, 6-3 victory over Adolfo Daniel Vallejo. He will face 10th seed Andrey Rublev in the second round, an immediate test of his rediscovered form.
Spain's Jaume Munar also advanced past the opening round, beating Australia's Rinky Hijikata 7-6(3), 6-3 after saving six of the nine break points he faced. The match between Aleksandar Kovacevic and Nuno Borges was suspended by rain at one set apiece, with Kovacevic having taken the first set 7-6(7) and Borges the second 6-2. Several other first-round matches were postponed to Monday.
The Canadian Masters 1000 features a strong field led by world number 1 Alexander Zverev, in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, sidelined with a wrist injury, and Jannik Sinner.
Washington awaits its finals
In Washington, Monday brings the conclusion of the DC Open. The ATP final between Taylor Fritz and Rafael Jódar, postponed from Sunday due to rain, takes place this afternoon. The American top seed faces the 19-year-old Spaniard who stunned the draw this week, including a semifinal comeback against Alejandro Tabilo (6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4). On the WTA side, Jessica Pegula leads 6-4, 1-2 against Alexandra Eala in a final suspended on Sunday evening. The world number 3 is well-placed to claim another title.
Key numbers from the day: 5 completed matches across Toronto and Montreal, 2 finals still pending in Washington, and the weather remaining the chief obstacle for organisers across the North American hard-court swing.
