Bianca Andreescu’s strong start to her first hard-court tournament of the year turned into an early exit as the Canadian was defeated 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 by Lesia Tsurenko on Tuesday night at the National Bank Open. Andreescu, the 2019 champion of the tournament, hadn’t played on hard courts since last year’s Montreal event due to a back injury that ended her season. She returned at this year’s French Open and was coming off a second-round loss to Donna Vekic at the Olympics. Andreescu nearly rallied in the third set on Tuesday after falling behind 5-0. “I played some of my best tennis for the first set and a little bit,” said Andreescu, who fought back tears at the end of her press conference. “And then tennis just kicks you right in the butt sometimes.”
Tsurenko joined fellow Ukrainians Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk in the second round. Svitolina, the 2017 tournament champion, beat Shelby Rogers 6-0, 6-2, while Kostyuk, seeded No. 11, ousted Tatjana Maria 6-0, 6-2. However, No. 16-seeded Dayana Yastremska, another Ukrainian player, was forced to withdraw from her match against Taylor Townsend due to a shoulder injury while trailing 6-3, 3-1. Anna Kalinskaya (No. 10 seed) and Victoria Azarenka (No. 12 seed) also advanced.
The tournament has experienced a number of withdrawals in recent days, including top-ranked Iga Swiatek, following the Olympics. Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova (thigh injury), Elena Rybakina (bronchitis), Jasmine Paolini, Maria Sakkari, and Danielle Collins are also absent. Coco Gauff (No. 2) and Aryna Sabalenka (No. 3) headline the remaining field. American Jessica Pegula, ranked sixth and last year’s winner in Montreal, is in Canada to defend her title.
