“Aryna Sabalenka leads the women’s Canadian Open in Toronto 2026.”

The absence of defending champion Victoria Mboko, due to an injury, makes the 2026 Canadian Open in Toronto even more intriguing and competitive. The tournament, which takes place from August 1 to 13, will feature stars such as Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva, who promise to raise the bar of competition. The event is one of the most important stages in preparation for the US Open, which follows Cincinnati the previous week.

The tournament draw is already set, and the early rounds include interesting matchups. Aryna Sabalenka, currently the world number 1, advances without an opponent in the first round, while figures like Iga Świątek, Jessica Pegula, and Bianca Andreescu are also on track to stand out. The tournament, which alternates between Toronto and Montreal, is the 124th edition of the women's event, reinforcing its position as one of the main challenges in the grass season.

Samuel Gill, Editor-in-Chief of TennisUpToDate.com, anticipates a potential surprising winner, given that many of the big stars are taking some time off or are not in peak form. “I see Jessica Pegula continuing her good form, while Marta Kostyuk and Iva Jovic could also make a strong comeback,” Gill stated. He also highlighted that Naomi Osaka showed good form in Washington and may seize the opportunity to shine.

On the other hand, Lucas Michael, also from TennisUpToDate.com, sees Aryna Sabalenka as the favorite to win the title, despite recent difficulties. “The return to hard courts could be the right moment for Sabalenka to showcase her strength again,” commented Michael, highlighting the pressures Iga Świątek faces as she prepares to defend her title in Cincinnati.

The main draw is scheduled for July 31, with the confirmation of the calendar to follow shortly after, as the tournament begins on Sunday. Anticipation is growing as the stars prepare for one of the most exciting events on the WTA calendar, where every match could be crucial in the race for points and prestige.