Britain's Cameron Norrie saw his campaign at the National Bank Open come to an abrupt end in the round of 16, bowing out after a 6-2, 7-6 (10-8) loss to France's rising star Arthur Fils in Montreal. The match, which lasted just under two hours, showcased Fils' aggressive serving and composure under pressure, while Norrie fought valiantly but ultimately could not convert his opportunities. From the first game, the 18th‑seeded Frenchman imposed his game plan with a big, flat serve that repeatedly forced Norrie's return game into defensive positions. Fils rode that momentum to close out the opening set 6-2, delivering a series of unreturnable serves and crisp groundstrokes that left Norrie scrambling.
The British player, known for his consistency and tactical intelligence, appeared to be taking the set in stride, but the Frenchman's firepower proved too much to handle in the early stages. The second set unfolded quite differently. Norrie raised his intensity, matching Fils' pace and depth, and began to dictate play from the baseline.
He produced several high‑quality winners and even carved out two set‑point chances, suggesting the match could swing back in his favour. However, Fils displayed remarkable resilience, saving both chances and pushing the set into a tiebreak.
In the breaker, the young Frenchman edged ahead, ultimately clinching it 10-8 after a series of long rallies and a few unforced errors from Norrie at crucial moments. The final score reflected a hard‑fought contest, but Fils emerged victorious after 1 hour and 43 minutes of competitive tennis. Norrie's journey to this point had been impressive.
In the previous round he produced a stunning upset over the tournament's third seed, Alex de Minaur. Down match point, Norrie turned the tide dramatically, winning 11 of the next 13 games to secure a 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 triumph. That victory not only propelled him into the last‑16 but also elevated him back to the position of British No.
1, overtaking Arthur Fery. Unfortunately, he could not replicate that level of play against the in‑form Fils. Following his win, Fils will meet Spain's Rafael Jodar in the quarter‑finals.
Jodar earned his spot by defeating the eighth seed, Jiri Lehecka, in straight sets, showcasing the depth of talent in this year's draw. Meanwhile, other notable matches saw Brandon Nakashima and Luciano Darderi advance after grueling three‑set battles against Arthur Rinderknech and Nuno Borges, respectively. In a separate headline, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a surprising setback in her preparation for the US Open.
The Belarusian, a four‑time Grand Slam champion and reigning US Open titleholder, was upset 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4 by Russia's 16th‑seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova in the fourth round of the Canadian Open held in Toronto. The encounter lasted nearly two and a half hours and highlighted the fine margins that can decide elite-level tennis. Sabalenka started strongly, breaking early in the first set and appearing to be in control.
However, Alexandrova fought back fiercely, pushing the set to a tiebreak where she capitalised on a few key errors from Sabalenka to take the set 7-3. Undeterred, Sabalenka rallied in the second set, breaking for a 4-3 lead and eventually serving out the set to level the match at one set apiece.
The decisive third set was a test of nerves. Sabalenka's error count rose as Alexandrova continued to unleash aggressive, deep groundstrokes.
At 4-5, Sabalenka saved two match points, but a double fault on the third match point handed the victory to Alexandrova, who closed out the set 6-4. After the match, Alexandrova explained her mindset: "I just tried to play every single point as if it was the last one because with her, you don't get a lot of chances during the match. Honestly, I was trying not to think about the score or anything.
Just hit the ball, and that's it. I'm super happy that I could win because after the second set, I thought the chance was already past me." Alexandrova's win secures her a place in the semi‑finals, where she will face Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, who advanced after defeating American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 6-4. The upcoming matches promise high‑quality tennis as the field narrows.
Both the ATP and WTA tours, along with the upcoming US Open, will be broadcast live from August 30 on Sky Sports, with streaming options available via NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans are encouraged to use a Chrome browser for the optimal video experience, ensuring smooth playback of highlights, full match replays, and exclusive player interviews. Overall, the Montreal tournament has delivered a blend of expected results and shocking upsets, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the sport as the season heads toward its climax. Norrie's exit and Sabalenka's defeat serve as reminders that even top‑ranked players can be vulnerable on any given day, while the emergence of players like Arthur Fils and Ekaterina Alexandrova adds fresh intrigue to the upcoming stages of the competition.