Top-seeded Coco Gauff faced a surprising defeat in the National Bank Open on Friday, losing 6-4, 6-1 to 14th-seeded Diana Shnaider. Battling windy conditions at Sobeys Stadium, Gauff was broken while trailing 5-4 in the first set, ultimately handing Shnaider the advantage. In the second set, the 20-year-old American double-faulted while down 2-1, further propelling Shnaider towards victory. Shnaider, also 20 years old, secured the match with another break, setting up a quarterfinal showdown against No. 6 Liudmila Samsonova. Samsonova earned her spot in the quarterfinals with a dominant 6-2, 6-4 win over Elise Mertens.
In a late match, No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka took on Katie Boulter. Earlier in the day, defending champion Jessica Pegula displayed her prowess by defeating qualifier Ashlyn Krueger 6-2, 6-4. Pegula, hailing from nearby Buffalo, New York, capitalized on Krueger’s nine double faults. Notably, Pegula defeated Samsonova in last year’s Montreal final and will now face Peyton Stearns, who secured her place in the quarterfinals when No. 12 Victoria Azarenka withdrew due to a thigh injury.
The tournament continued to unfold with other exciting matches. Taylor Townsend triumphed over fourth-seeded Jelena Ostapenko with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory. Meanwhile, No. 8 Emma Navarro emerged victorious against No. 11 Marta Kostyuk, winning 7-5, 7-5 to set up a quarterfinal encounter. Amanda Anisimova advanced after No. 10 Anna Kalinskaya of Russia retired due to dizziness, having lost the first set 6-2.
