But Fernandez battled to a three-set victory over an Australian qualifier to land her in the second round of this home tournament for the first time in her career. The 19-year-old Fernandez didn’t have her best stuff in her opener here, and for good reason: She’d been on the shelf the last two months, rehabbing from a fractured foot. Beatriz Haddad Maia (Brazil), second up in the afternoon draw that opens not before 1 p.m. Expectations are high at home in Montreal, and even more so after fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov’s first-round exit on Tuesday afternoon. The monkey is off Alliassime’s back and he’s ranked a career-high No. The 21-year-old Aliassime won his first ATP title earlier this year, and it was huge: He’d lost in eight previous finals before that. In Montreal, the top-ranked Canadian in the draw - the sixth seed and hometown kid - opens his tournament against Nishioka, the world No. Yoshito Nishioka (Japan), not before 6:30 p.m. Tennis legend Serena Williams says she plans to retire sometime after US Openįelix-Auger Aliassime (Canada) vs. The crowds for Williams are always huge, and Sobeys Stadium is sold out and guaranteed to be extra-loud for her Wednesday tilt against Bencic, now that Williams has announced her impending retirement.Īnd what a treat it is to have at least one more match in Canada featuring the woman who’s done more for tennis in the modern era than anyone. The Greatest of All Time had a boisterous crowd cheering her on in her opener in Toronto - it marked her first win in a year. The three-time National Bank Open champion (she owns 73 WTA titles in all) turns 41 at the end of September. Williams hinted that the US Open, which starts later this month, could be her swan song. Williams announced on Tuesday that she’s stepping away from tennis to focus on growing her family, which includes her five-year-old daughter, Olympia, and her husband, Alexis Ohanian. This could be the last time the 23-time Grand Slam champion plays in Canada, and one of the last times, ever. Belinda Bencic (Switzerland), not before 7 p.m. Spoiler alert: The lineup in Toronto is top shelf, with not only Williams, but both Leylah Fernandez and Bianca Andreescu set to play. Let’s take a look at that must-see match featuring the incomparable Serena Williams, as well as some other big ones on tap today for both the women in Toronto and the men in Montreal.

Sports fans, it’s unbelievable and incredible on every level.

TORONTO - It’s Day 3 of the National Bank Open, and Toronto gets to host the Undisputed Greatest Of All Time in what will be one of her final competitive tennis matches.

Serena williams tennis match today live